#picture this: it’s your first date and your date casually mentions having 20+ plus kids.
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A day in the life of a Guardian - Guardians are the sole protectors of Fae troupes. Guardians often lead several troupes with various offsprings and mates. Today, Aries visits one of their troupes. ✨ Text under the cut
Guardians are the sole protectors of Fae troupes. Guardian often lead several troupes with various offsprings and mates. Today, Aries visits one of their troupes.
Aries sires 6 offsprings: Lynx (Young Adult), Syrus (Adolescent), Kree (Adolescent), Zan (Youngling), Cypress (Youngling) & Iri (Infant).
Aries has two mates; Pine and Olev, who is expecting their 7th.
Guardians sire multiple offsprings to ensure the vitality of their kind. They will engage in an intimate conception ritual with their chosen mate in the Glade, the safehaven for Fae magic.
Guardian choses their mates based on how skilled they are in things like hunting, crafting, song and dance. Once chosen, they are mates for life.
Socializing plays a vital role for young Faeries; hence, a sibling is often born shortly after a Faerie's birth. Being apart of a large troupe is essential for their survival in the mortal realm.
Faeries are known to be peaceful but can be a threat if provoked. Because their young is so vulnerable, Guardians will kill to protect them.
Hunting is a bonding experience for adolescence Faeries. They hunt together, typically lead by an elder until they are skilled enough to hunt alone. They’ll hunt small animals, such as rabbits and birds, and always perform a release ritual to return that animal’s spirit back to nature.
Young adults often remain in their troupe until they are ready to start one of their own. The offsprings of Guardians are the most successful at leading their own troupes.
Fae magic ensures a bountiful harvest wherever they reside. If a troupe abandons their home due to being hunted, nearby crops and gardens often die off from the lack of magic in the soil.
Young Faeries strengthen their magic through play. Unlike Spellcasters, Faeries can begin using magic at birth.
Guardians' mates never harbor animosity towards each other. They all share mutual respect and contribute to the prosperity and joy of the troupe.
That said, having a non Fae lover can be...complicated.
#Fae lore#A day in the life of Aries#If you can imagine why Nora ended things with Aries this post can provide some insight lol#picture this: it’s your first date and your date casually mentions having 20+ plus kids.#oc lore#I plan to do alot more of these little snippets of lore between updates#like filler episodes#sims 4#sims 4 simblr#sims 4 stories#ts4 simblr#cotf tag#cotf lore series
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hi leia, i saw your post abt a matchup and here i am to request for one (if it's open tho!!) HAHAHAHA you probably know me so well already because we chat almost everyday jdksjsk but i'll add some general things lang: im shy and awkward at first but when i warm up to you, i bring out my chaotic side (wow remember those 20 qs we did? HAHAHA iconic) default mode: a chill homebody, but if you successfully drag me to a fun place (like amusement parks) i'll be grateful to u forever :> +
HALLO, DILAAAAG ✨ I HAD FUN DOING THISSSS MY BRAIN WENT *snap*
I match you up with...
Me✨
CHOS! My other choices were Lev and Goshiki but I match you up with...
Tanaka Ryūnosuke (◍•ᴗ•◍)✧*。
Mainly because Tanaka screams Pinoy vibes to me.
But also because he's so spontaneous and I feel like you love spontaneous people! (Kasi when you react to my replies minsan napakabongga HAHAHAHA)
Also, kasi I know you're shy (if 'di mo pa close) + he's shy when it comes to girls, too! THE DYNAMICS SPEAKS-
Let's throwback during your college freshman year.
You're a transfer student who just seemed so lost in the sea of people.
Plus the fact that you're not from Japan (assume lang tayo Dilag wala namang bayad mangarap HAHAHAHAH) just screams: a n x i e t y ✨
Well, you weren't the only one who's anxious though...
"E-Excuse me?"
You look to your right only to see a semi bald guy with a constipated face. His ears are so red + his lips look funny.
You who is anxious as well: "Ha?"
He shows you his card and like asks you if you knew where these classrooms are.
And you literally cried because you're classmates with almost (almost) all of his general subjects!
Tanaka brightens with this and like, suddenly his awkwardness is gone!
"Do you want to go to our first class together?"
Rumor has it that Tanaka knew where his classes were. He just wanted to talk to you :>
This approach has been mastered, honed, and consecutively developed for three years alongside with his humble partner, Nishinoya
Since you're classmates at general subs, it's given that you seat with each other.
I think your friendship started the moment Tanaka approached you on the opening ceremony.
But it developed when classes started. Tanaka started sharing that he was a volleyball player during high school and like, he was the best and he was the greatest and sorts.
You're just there nodding at him, completely in awe bc WOW an athlete. You're friends w an athlete.
He learns that you're not a Japanese, too! And when he immediately knew you're a Filipino, the first thing he blurts out is:
"TANGINA"
THIS GOT YOU WHEEZING. Because of that, you jokingly slapped his arms, "Huy, Tanaka!" While laughing
He apparently knows a couple of phrases because he plays online games like DOTA and stuff.
By phrases = we mean curses
But this isn't one-sided! You told him you knew Japanese (let's say you're not fluent yet) and you learned from the best: anime
Tanaka: Really? Try telling me a phrase then.
You: ちんこぱだいすき.
Kidding. That's on me. I'd definitely say that. Also, I'm not sure with the hiragana characters, forgive me.
ANYWAYS, TANAKA GOES RED BECAUSE OF THIS AND LIKE, HE LOOKS AWAY AND LIKE "W-What are you saying?!" And stuff.
Then you laugh because he becomes a mess.
I think the confessing part is the hardest.
Because Tanaka is just a huge m e s s when it comes to girls! While you're too scared to confess because what if he doesn't like you back?
Both of you are like, trying to balance whether it was worth the risk or nah
Karasuno squad is just like, groaning everytime Tanaka called them for advice.
Like, Suga: Jesus Christ, Tanaka. Just confess already.
Tanaka is like: But what if it doesn't work out? What if she only sees me as a friend? What if-
Tsukki: What if someone else takes her away?
Tanaka:
Tanaka: *angry mom noises*
I feel like imagining you dating was his strongest drive to confess!
He wants to confess in classical way, though. You know, he gives a message asking you to go to the sakura tree at the left side of the campus at 5 o'clock.
Only that that won't work since you're both college students and you have the messiest schedules.
You on the phone (while on your way to a class): Look, Tanaka I thought I'm free at 5. Turns out I'm not. What is it that you want to tell me?
Tanaka on the phone: it's... it's just that I want to say I like you.
You: 👁️/////👄/////👁️
Dates: ARE COOL
He loves how you're just good to go to places he mentions you.
Tanaka: I found this coffee shop where we can play with snakes.
Karasuno team would normally think he's being creepy but you were like:
"OMG I WANNA SEE THAT"
But kids, please don't play w/ snakes-
Favorite activity would be CHIKA TIME! Tanaka learned this phrase from you.
And like, you two would sit somewhere, cafeteria, library, etc. and would just start dissing other people.
Tanaka: I bet you those two are about to break up.
You: Yeah. Just look at their faces.
You love taking pictures, asking for his hoodie, clinging arms with each other while walking and stuff.
He also loves to place his arm on your shoulders? Like as if you're bros?
Domestic dates, too! Especially that you're far away from your fam, Tanaka invites you to his house most of the time.
*whisper* Something...steamy happens?
N o because Tanaka drinks his respect woman juice and he thinks too highly of you for him to do that!
Respect juice contents btw: he supports you, the things you want, the clothes you wear, and he treats you like an equal! (Not some sort of material he possesses wedontdosexismhere)
Kisses can happen thoughhh but rarely because you two would go crazy with the uwu after.
You're so frequent at his place to the point that Saeko loves you and literally bonds with you more than Tanaka when you're at their place.
If it's the other way around, Tanaka is sooooo stiff when he visits your place.
He's never been to a girl's house before!
You: Tanaka, make yourself feel at home.
Tanaka: ᶜᵃⁿ ᶦ ˢᶦᵗ ᵃᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ʳᵘᵍˀ
Fights happen too.
I feel like Tanaka is a jealous type.
The first time Tanaka got jealous, you found it cute.
But when it happened over and over again, that got you mad.
It might start with jealousy but it ends up turning serious like:
"Do you not believe in me?"
"I can't believe you said that."
"You think I'd do that to you?"
"Is that what you think of me?"
And like the other party would be speechless but you guys would be too heated and too prideful to apologize on the spot.
The reason why the following days would just be a season of you both ignoring each other.
But don't get me wrong. You still do things together. Like eating lunches together, sitting at one another, going home together but just no talking.
Like no talking at all!
I feel like Tanaka is the first one who gives in. He hates it when he couldn't talk to you. At first, he calls his friends and their words make him realize that:
"Ah, shit. I fucked up." -Tanaka at 3 AM.
You both fix things up eventually. Like, before you knew it, one of you would just casually approach the other as if you haven't ignored each other for a week.
HSJSJSJSJ I hope you like it dilaggg! And tell me if I'm accur8 or naaaaah HAHAHAHAHHA
#match ups#leia answers <333#haikyuu matchups#dilag✨✨✨#haikyuu imagines#haikyuu#haikyuu tanaka#tanaka ryuunosuke#tanaka x dilag#Tanaka x justine
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Chapter 1
"Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo." If I cannot bend the will of Heaven, I shall move Hell.
Nick Fury glared at the agents that were scurrying around frantically around him. Scowling, the tall male turned around sharply, his long black coat whipping around him as he did so. With long strides, he stared ahead of him angrily, effectively scaring off approaches from the people that milled around the corridors.
Barely even turning his head to acknowledge the presence of another person power-walking besides him, he continued to walk through the corridors. “Hill, assemble the Avengers at Stark’s tower in 20 minutes. It’s urgent.” Fury ordered, as he stopped before a door to quickly punch in an access code which was completed with a fingerprint and retinal scan.
The woman beside Fury nodded quickly as she swiftly typed in a few commands on the handheld device she carried, “I’m on it, sir. Do you want me to lock-down our base in Switzerland?” She asked, as the door slid open with a hiss and the two stepped into an almost open room containing a various assortment of aircraft.
“I wanted that done 20 minutes ago, Agent Hill. Shut them down. No one enters, no one leaves. Put everyone on high alert, we don’t even know what we’re up against.” Fury barked out, as he gave a curt nod towards the woman who was saluting next to the walkway.
Hill gave another quick nod, her fingers typing furiously away at the device she held, following Fury into the out of the large doors and into the open, where a helicopter sat. Blades whirring and spinning at the ready. Clambering aboard the helicopter, Hill was unfazed at the mess her once perfect up-do was. The door was shut upon them as the helicopter took off, the base quickly fading off into the distance.
With a heaving chest, the [colour]-haired female darted into a narrow alleyway, quickly scampering behind the stacks of rubbish and cardboard that lay piled up high against the sides of the alley. Now clothed in a large coat and a pair of too-large pants and shirt – which the female had carefully borrowed from various washing lines around the city – the female slid quickly and quietly into the shadows, anxiously watching the group of authorities walk slowly past the opening of the alleyway.
Her past rags had been discarded in a dumpster somewhere within the city, and with them, the metal anklet that had proved to be quite difficult to remove – if the sight of her bandaged and limping right foot did not indicate this. Wrapping the large coat tighter across her body, the girl shivered uncontrollably in the cold air, uselessly attempting to sweep the snow and ice that stuck to her body as flakes of snow fell from the heavens. Curling upon herself, she tucked her feet underneath her, wincing almost silently as a pain shot up her right foot, the young adult braced herself to spend the night in the cold.
A quiet tapping quickly made the girl whip her head around, her [colour] eyes wide in fear before she looked up to the window to see the face of a concerned couple, who was mouthing undecipherable things through the clear barrier. The blond man quickly shook his head before disappearing from view, only to quickly return with a large notepad and a pen in his hand. Hurriedly scribbling on the pages he turned the makeshift sign towards the young girl on the street, where the words, ‘Tu veuz entrer?’[1] could be barely read. The blond holding the notepad smiled reassuringly, as the brown-haired man besides him disappeared from the sight of the girl. Noticing the young girl’s questioning looks at the retreating back of his counterpart, the blond hastily scrawled out ‘Mon ami est allé vous montrer à l’intérieur. Il va être très froid ce soir.’[2] The blond gave the girl a small reassuring smile, and a visible sigh of relief as the young girl accepted the help of his husband to come inside.
Nick Fury entered the meeting room in Stark Tower aggressively, his shoulders hunched forwards and his usual permanent scowl upon his face. Undeterred by Tony Stark’s seemingly too bright smile, he ignored Steve Rogers’ polite greeting and stalked immediately to the head of the table, slamming both of his fists down in frustration – not that Tony would like to admit, but he was one of the few that flinched at the sound of palms slapping the tabletop. “We're in deep shit today.” Fury started off to say, shooting a sharp glare towards the righteous blue-eyed, blonde captain as if daring him to interrupt. “A branch of a very high-tech, extremely progressive medical research institute has been destroyed – and honestly, if it was just any regular research institution, I would not give any flying fucks about what has happened.”
Bruce Banner looked as if he wilted at the mention of a research centre being annihilated, but Fury continued on, “No. I do not give a damn about any of the data that facility held, no. What I am worried about, is what got all those people killed and what tore down those buildings in the first place.”
Fury paused as Natasha Romanov raised her hand, with a quick nod of affirmation from the director, Natasha asked, “So, our job is to hunt down this weapon and return it?”
Fury barked out a forced laugh, “That’s the problem.” He growled out as he paced back and forth at the front of the room, “We don’t know what type of weapon it is, we don’t even know how many people were involved in this attack, and we certainly do not know why they decided to complete blow up only one fucking branch of a large institution!” Fury took in a deep ragged breath, “No. Your mission is to hunt down the person, or group of people, who did this fucking thing and find out why.”
The room was very quiet after Fury’s words; even Thor, son of Odin, who did not really understand the significance of a medical research facility knew the weight of what had occurred and the possible danger the Earth might be in, if not, the chances that the nine known realms were at risk.
Maria Hill, who had been standing at the door of the meeting room, quickly burst in and made a beeline towards Fury, both her hands clutching at the tablet she held as if the world’s survival depended on it. “Sir,” she said, her hands almost visibly trembling, “Agents at the Geneva base started to go through what remained of the security footage, and… well, you might want to see it for yourself, sir.”
Offering the handheld device to Fury, Maria looked pale as a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead glistened in the bright office lights of the room. Fury silently took the device, scanning the information held upon it quickly, before a flash of surprise which quickly turned to fear, then anger grew in his eyes.
“Well, going to share the happy news, Fury?” Stark asked, a sly grin on his face, as the suave man casually draped one of his legs over the other.
Fury merely replied by turning on the holographic projector that sat nestled in the centre of the table and quickly sent through a single picture. “It looks like this mission just got shittier.” Fury said, as an image of a girl in white scrubs sat in an empty, clean cell, a grim look on his face, “Seems as if this renown and prestigious centre had a few dark secrets to hide.”
Stark let out a low whistle, as the image of the [colour]-haired girl sitting in the cell began to etch itself into the minds of the people who saw it.
Rogers spoke up, “Is the girl dead, or alive?”
Hill’s answer elicited a cold chill down their spines, “She’s unaccounted for, that is, her body was never found. But that’s not the worst part of it.” Hill gulped as every other person in the room unconsciously lent in to hear the next few words that would slip past the woman’s lips. “There are no records of her. None at all.”
No one saw Rogers’ hands clench into fists. Hill continued on to say, “Our agents were scanning through the lists of people that were in that division – Lieberherr-Häsler has an accumulative list of employees, guests, visitors, test patients, etcetera, in their administrative branch, complete with pictures and fingerprints – and there was no records of this girl, apart from this.” With a flourish, Hill pulled up a PDF file of a scanned patient entry, most of which was blank. Zooming in on the one of the only places that information was filled out: the date of birth of the patient – DD MMMM YYYY – and the sex. Where the name should have been written were numbers, hastily scrawled out in sloppy handwriting - #70891.
Stark let out a strangled noise as he croaked out, the sly smile no longer on his face, “Sh… She’s only a child….”
“So, we have to hunt down this… kid?” Clint Barton asked, his arms crossed against his chest as he scrutinised the picture, letting out a huff of air from his nose. Banner, who was sitting next to Barton, could see the trembling in Barton’s legs and hands as he spoke.
Banner spoke up, “How can a kid cause all this damage to a building? Th-That’s physically impossible!”
“Think again, Banner.” Fury answered, merely swiping at the image of the form to make way for a small clip of the girl being restrained in her room as static danced across the screen. Her mouth opened in a silent scream as she strained and pulled against her restraints as roots burst through the concrete floor. The clip was cut off as a team of 6 people barged into the room to hold down the struggling female. “Well, it’s either that this girl caused all the damage or a group of people wrecked the whole place just to find her.” Fury stated, turning his attention back towards Hill’s tablet. “And since I would love to give people the benefit of the doubt, I’m giving you one week to find her, and it would be best that you all get her back here. Alive.”
“Vous sentez-vous plus chaud maintenant?”[3] The blond man asked, he had introduced himself earlier as Nicolas Ramstein and the brown-haired male was his husband, Florentinus Kohler.
The [colour]-eyed girl was currently sat upon the comfy loveseat with several blankets wrapped precariously around her as Florentinus quietly tucked another hot-water-bottle underneath the mound. The girl gave a small nod, and shot the two men and appreciative smile.
“Comment vous appelez-vous?”[4] Florentinus gently asked, as he softly adjusted the stack of blankets the girl was under. His dark brown eyes scanned over the woman’s face, as his slender hand tenderly checked her temperature.
“Je… je ne sais pas? Je ne me souviens plus….”[5] The young woman replied softly and unsure, her face was scrunched up in the same expression if she had forgotten to buy the milk or bread.
Ramstein opened his mouth to ask the shivering girl another question, only to be interrupted by the sound of the doorbell being rung. The girl flinched at the sound, an action which was not unnoticed by both Ramstein and Kohler.
Slowly getting to his feet, Ramstein gave Kohler a sad smile before leaving the room to answer the door; as the scrape of metal indicated that the door had been unlocked alongside the creak of the front door opening. Kohler turned his attention back to the girl on the couch, quietly whispering that he was going into the kitchen to get her some warm milk, before he too quietly snuck into the kitchen.
No one saw the panicked look in the girl’s [colour] eyes which darted around the room and at the retreating backs of both Ramstein and Kohler, silently begging them not to leave her alone, pleading for Ramstein to leave that front door shut.
A strangled scream tore through the small apartment as heavy footsteps approached the living room. Kohler ran into the room, his eyes wide. “Tout va bien pour vous? Qui a crié?”[6] he asked the girl frantically, only to be met with the sight of the girl squeezing her own eyes shut, hands over her ears, as she quietly chanted to herself, “Désolé, désolé, désolé, désolé, désolé, …”[7] over and over again.
A deafening click of a gun being loaded echoed through the silent room made Kohler turn his head towards the door in which his husband had just walked through, as startled dark-brown eyes met the sleek barrel of a gun.
[1] Do you want to come in?
[2] My friend has gone to show you inside. It’s going to be very cold tonight.
[3] Do you feel warmer now?
[4] What is your name?
[5] I��. I don’t know? I can’t remember….
[6] Are you okay? Who screamed?
[7] I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, ...
unedited
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Of Ribbons and Needles
Day 3: Touch/Affection Deprived
“Jack! Over here!”
The albino grinned and jogged over to where the brunet was waiting. “Hey there! I thought I wouldn't find you for a moment!”
“I didn't think I'd be that hard to find,” Hiccup teased. He gestured toward the Carousel Cafe, appropriately attached to the park’s carousel. “After you, then!”
“Why thank you, good sir~�� Jack teased as he led Hiccup inside. The cafe was simple, with a few extra goodies along with the usual hot dogs, burgers, and fries. They actually offered sandwiches since the owners also had their own farm. It was a nice casual place for a first date. “I'm surprised you could take a break from your studies to go on a date.”
Hiccup pouted. “I'm not that bad! Besides, I'm almost done. I only have this year left.”
“Wait, aren't you only in your 20s?”
“I'm actually 25. I sort of took a bunch of classes in high school that counted in college too, so I got a head start.”
“I don't feel so bad now, being 24!”
“Jack, you're a top designer making wedding dresses that cost thousands of dollars! That's a huge accomplishment!”
“Well, when you put it that way…” Jack’s cheeks heated up and he pulled his glasses off to clean them, biting his lip even as he smiled. “I think making connections with Tim Gunn helped.”
Hiccup’s brows almost flew off his head. “Okay, how did you manage that?”
Jack grinned. “I won a meeting in fashion school to meet him. He was a judge for our own little Project Runway--the program dean is his friend--and he picked me because I was the only designer who used a plus-sized model.”
“That's impressive.”
“I always agreed with him that designers are far too narrow-minded, pun unintended. Women aren't stick thin, so I went to the best model I could think of--my mom.” Jack was practically beaming at the memory. “She's beautiful, but her figure is like in between a pear and an hourglass so she's always struggled with finding clothes. I wanted to design a dress that was flattering and gorgeous, and Tim loved it! So he actually, heh, friended me on LinkedIn, and gave my name to Lunar Designs’ founder.”
Hiccup let a low whistle ring out. “Amazing! No wonder you’re so popular, though really, your work just shows how much you earned and deserve it.”
“Awww, now you’re just buttering me up for a discount~” Jack teased with a nudge. He laughed at Hiccup’s pout, “I’m kidding! Besides, you already get a discount since it’s part of a group. I’m surprised you can afford the dress with your loans--shit, I’m sorry!” He covered his mouth with his hand, looking horrified.
Hiccup on the other hand burst into laughter. “That’s fine, really! I can afford it because while I’m getting my doctorate, I’m in a program that so long as I help teach a couple of classes, my tuition is funded by the school! Plus a stipend, and I also do some side work. S’no big deal, really. I’m guessing you were concerned?” he asked kindly.
Jack nodded sheepishly. “Doctorates are ridiculously expensive, and if you’re on your last year then you have to be busy like crazy. I was surprised you even had time to come for your fittings, let alone a date.”
The brunet tugged at his scarf and fiddled with the fronds while looking away, the late October sunlight filtering in and highlighting the red tones in his hair. “Heh, well...I really wanted to see you again.”
Those words only sent the other into blushing glee, and he quickly looked away as well while rubbing the back of his head. “W-w-well, I’m glad! Because I wanted to see you too! Uh, we should order! You know, so we could eat!”
“Y-yeah! Good idea!”
The wait to get their food was awkward after that, the two speaking only when they had to order. But after a minute or so Jack thought the silence was going to strangle him. “Um! So, you said...you had a cat?”
Hiccup lit up at the topic and latched onto it like a dog with a bone. “Yeah! That stray that I mentioned earlier, actually! After I woke up in the hospital I found him in bed with me. He was a small little scrap of a thing, missing a couple of teeth and part of his tail had been amputated because of burns. I named him Toothless, and he became a therapy animal. I used to have nightmares about fire all the time.”
Jack nodded in understanding. “I get that. When I was younger I fell through thin ice getting my sister off of it. Almost drowned. Took me months to even step into a kiddie pool again, let alone a big pool. So Mom surprised me and Emma with a husky puppy. Her name is Snowflake~”
“Oh my gods, that is the cutest name ever. Do you have pictures?”
“Do I!?”
The rest of their lunch was spent showing each other videos and pictures of their respective pets. Snowflake, who was not in fact a Siberian husky but rather a Labrador husky, was a beautiful gray and white with sparkling bright blue eyes. Toothless, on the other hand, was a blue-black cat with deep green eyes and a fluffy half-tail. Since both animals had shown to get along well with a variety of other animals (Jack laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair when he watched Toothless being teased by Astrid’s cockatiel Stormfly), they both agreed on a play date for their pets.
After finishing off their food they headed toward the carousel, and Jack gave Hiccup a sly grin. “You know…”
“I know what?”
“Didn’t you say something about Toothless being a mini dragon?”
“Yeah?”
“And there’s a dragon on the carousel~”
“Oh no!” Hiccup laughed and quickly looped an arm around Jack’s waist, pulling him against him and thus away from the tantalizing ride. “I have a better idea first!”
Jack flushed in surprised but chuckled, almost hesitantly wrapping his own arm around Hiccup’s waist. “Oh?” Their closeness was almost intoxicating, and he was glad that Hiccup didn’t pull away. “Can you give me a hint?”
“Caw, caw.”
Well, that was cryptic as hell. It wasn’t until they reached the nearby docks that Jack figured it out. “Swan boats?”
Hiccup grinned brightly. “Do you like it?”
“So long as I’m not being attacked by real swans, yeah!” Jack replied laughing. They stayed close even as they climbed into their own paddle boat after paying, sides pressed against each other. It took them both time to figure out how to leave the dock, and one near capsizing, but they soon got the hang of how they worked.
The silence was companionable, and after a bit Hiccup laced his hand with Jack’s. “I’m having a great time tonight,” he said. A shy smile quirked his lips while the sun set behind him, leaving Jack’s heart beating in staccato.
There was a pause before he cleared his throat. “Y-yeah! I’m-I’m having a nice time too. Like, it’s been awesome.” He laughed a bit while running a hand through his hair. “It’s been nice to get out of my shop. I have so many orders, I needed a break.”
“Heheh, yeah, same with my thesis. So...thanks. For coming out with me.”
“Thank you for such a fun time.”
Jack twisted and turned in bed, unable to get comfortable. Snowflake lifted her head with a questioning tilt of her head. “Sorry, girl, it’s nothing.” He moved so that he could spoon the husky, petting her while she fell back asleep. He could still feel the warmth of Hiccup’s side against his, the comforting weight of their joined hands, the sweet pressure of a tentative kiss against his cheek. He wanted more, he wanted to drown in how right it felt to be so touchy with each other.
He hid his face in thick soft fur. “Ah fuck, I’ve fallen for him…”
Sorry this is so late! I had a hard time finishing this up, due to a bit of trouble with figuring out where this was going aaaand also wrist pain. It’s getting better though! I’m determined to finish this week even if I’m a little late!
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I want to thank the lovely @harrywavycurly for tagging me in this!
Rules: Tag 20 friends you would like to get to know better….
Nickname: Jill, Jills, Lia
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Height: 5'4
Last thing you googled: I’m pretty sure the last thing I googled was something about how to manage/treat Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) which I just got diagnosed with and which is doing a very good job of fucking with my life ugh :/
Favourite music artist: hmm, I have a lot of music artists that I absolutely LOVE so it’s really hard to pick just one. But if I had to pick my most favorite, I’d probably have to go with Ed Sheeran I feel the need to include this picture to show just how much I love him. Please note that I have an entire folder with numerous subfolders and literally 36 different playlists with only Ed Sheeran songs. Also, pay attention to the fact that I honest to god have 424 Ed Sheeran songs (I have pretty much every version of every song he’s ever performed, recorded, etc; so like I have studio versions, loop-pedal versions, acoustic versions, etc. (I’m a shameless youtube downloader)). Also I feel it is worth mentioning that my top listened to Ed Sheeran song is a 9 minute song that I’ve listened to 210 times (according to the iTunes playcounter, which only works about half the time when I listen to music on my phone...) which equates to 32 hours; I have legit spent 32 hours of my life listening to this one song. (Yeah, I’m a bit fucking obsessed nuts haha)
But honestly I have a bunch of favorite music artists. Like Mumford and Sons, I love them so so soooo much. And Passenger (he’s soooo fucking good, honestly he’s a fucking genius), The Lumineers (they’re also fucking amazing), The Avett Brothers, Little Mix, Kasha Rae, Lowkey, and obviously One Direction lol. Oh and Bob Dylan, I am crazy about Bob Dylan. But like those are only my top top absolute most favorites. I have so many that I love very much also. Some honorable mentions that I can’t resist adding are Bastille, Imagine Dragons, twenty one pilots, Devlin, Bear’s Den, The Head and the Heart, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, and Demi Lovato. Also, Christian Burrows, Sarah Simmons, and Janet Devlin all have voices that I am straight up in love with.
Song stuck in my head: Currently it’s 7 Years Old, only the version stuck in my head is not the original one, it’s a cover by Christian Burrows who is fucking awesome and you should all go check him out.
Last movie you watched: Ugh probably some kids movie because I work as a nanny and I babysit a lot. Oh it was one of the Alvin and the Chipmunks movies, and it was fucking terrible. Like honestly, it was soooo bad. I mean, I didn’t even really watch it I just sat with the kids as they watched it but I was on tumblr the whole time lol. Last movie I willingly watched though, I can’t actually remember the name of it, it’s some movie my grandma loves and wanted to watch again about an Irish girl who moves to Brooklyn in like the 1920s. Last movie I willingly watched that I can actually remember the name of: Hidden Figures. It was wonderful
What are you wearing right now: Sweat pants and a pink sweater and two pairs of socks because it’s cold lol.
What do you post: On this blog I post mostly 1D stuff, with a side of funny/amusing things, and the occasional important PSA. I also (supposedly) post fanfics that I write but I’ve been a lazy mofo lately and haven’t done that in a while
Why did you choose your URL: I chose my url because it matched my username on AO3 (LiaIsInLove) only on tumblr you can’t capitalize letters in your url and liaisinlove looks weird to me because you can’t initially tell what it says. So I put in the dashes and there you have it.
Do you have other blogs: oooh yes. Yes I do. Technically I have a shit ton of side blogs on here, but really only five others that I actually use, and I’m only regularly active on two of those. @to-dance-beneath-the-diamond-sky is my main blog. It was the first blog I made on tumblr. Oddly enough, I actually made it at some point in high school, never used or posted a single thing, and forgot that I’d ever made a tumblr until around two years ago when my friend convinced me to get a tumblr, and I went to sign up and was like wtf I already have a blog with this email?!?!?! when did I do that?!?!?! lol. Before I made this blog, I posted my normal stuff (angsty shit about mental illness and the mess that is my life) as well as my one direction stuff, but then I decided to make a specific 1D blog because none of my followers appreciated my one direction fangirling. The other blog that I actively use is @act-more-like-a-dog-sirius which is my harry potter blog. As you can tell, it’s primarily dedicated to marauders, particularly sirius black, things. Then I also have my writing blog, @lia-ivy which is purely for me to keep track of useful writing tips/resources for future reference. And I also have @with-grace--in--your-heart on which I lackadaisically post positive/inspiring quotes and shit, and also @my-religion-is-kindness which I very occasionally reblog/post inspiring stories that restore faith in humanity and that kind of shit. I also have a shit ton of other blogs but I’m not really active on any of them so :/
What did your last relationship teach you: uuughh I hope this doesn’t mean last relationship relationship because I have never had an official relationship with someone because I’m a fucking loser and A Mess™ and no one likes me. But I’ll go with the last person that I went on multiple dates with (lol my life is so sad lmao). From that I learned that you NEVER FUCKING CRY ON THE SECOND DATE!!!!!!!! If you’re getting emotional, tell them you have to go to the bathroom, and then you come out and say you’re not feeling well and then you boot. (That’s what my friend drilled into me after that Unfortunate Incident lmao) You don’t cry in front of them! EVER! Like it’s sooo bad lmao. Just, like, save the emotions and shit until you actually know them and they actually know you. Like if they want to get all deep and personal and shit, just don’t even go there. Honestly. Like, you don’t have to lie, but like don’t dredge up all your past trauma and shit. Just be casual about it. You don’t want to reveal the extent of your emotional damage and your traumatic history and shit on the Second Fucking Date. It will scare them off and it will be humiliating 100%.
Religious or spiritual: Spiritual.
Favourite colour: PINK!!!!!!!! Y’all probably could have guessed that by now though haha
Average hours of sleep: That totally depends on the day. Some days I sleep like 3-4 hours (because I’m on a medication that makes it so I can’t sleep, and I have to take another medication so I can actually sleep, only that medication knocks me the fuck out, so I can’t take it unless I know I’m going to be able to get at least 8 hours of sleep, so I don’t take it a lot and then I don’t sleep). And other nights I sleep from like 7-10 hours. But then there are lots of nights where I’ve had several days in a row of not being able to sleep or I’ll be just super drained/exhausted and I’ll just pass the fuck out and sleep like 14-17 hours for a few days in a row and then I’m back to barely sleeping. Lol I know my sleep schedule is beyond fucked up but that’s the chronic illness + mental illness life for you.
Lucky number: I don’t have one, but I do for some reason like the number 7, and the number 11. But like not strongly enough for me to consider them lucky or anything
Favourite characters: Sirius Black. I fucking love him. I love so many of the characters from HP, like Luna Lovegood, Rubeus Hagrid, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry James Potter himself (duhhh), but I have to say Sirius is my absolute most favorite. As for favorites in other fandoms, I love Éponine Thénardier from Les Misérables, and I love Jessi Taylor from Kyle XY, and I love Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender. That’s probably about it. Oh and I like Katniss from the Hunger Games.
How many blankets do you sleep with: A lot. A minimum of three blankets, and two comforters/duvets. (I have really awful circulation, I’m always fucking freezing, and my house is always really cold)
Dream job: Ugh if only I knew. I really want to do something human rights related, and I’d love to be able to incorporate photography and activism, but I don’t want to be a photojournalist (the field is dying, plus you have to be fucking amazing to actually get a job, and it’s not hands on enough for me). But the fuck if I know how/where to find a job like that. Honestly though, I was talking about it the other day (with @harrywavycurly who is an absolute doll) and I’d probably be happiest working at some kind of wildlife animal sanctuary or something because I love animals soooo much and like I want to play with bears, and be friends with wolves, and cuddle with lions, and romp around with hyenas, and spend time with gorillas, and just, the bigger the animal, the more I love it and want to be friends with it lol.
I rambled a lot as I tend to do, and this was super long, sorry haha. 20 people is a lot soooo I’m just gonna tag the first people I can think of. @missy14us @harrysoreo @littlemissmeggie @muzic-niall-luva @narryrendezvous @1989rosesxx @hypegxmez @irishsunshine-n-l-l-h @narold @myneighborkelsey @louissgoldchain (only if you guys want to!)
#personal#tag thing#thank you for tagging me#sorry I rambled#I always ramble#I never seem to shut up#lol#thank you for the tag#about me#ed sheeran#little mix#one direction#mumford & sons#passenger#the lumineers#bob dylan#bear's den#the head and the heart#the avett brothers#lowkey#devlin#kasha rae#rod stewart#cat stevens#christian burrows#demi lovato#all good artists#I would highly reccomend#lia talks#more like rambles
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you pour it out for everyone to see
(Sorry if it’s late :(( )
Otayuri Week 2017 Day 2: Social Media/Celebrations (FaceTime, Skype, Youtube, Instagram)
A/N: Sequel to “now i gotta wash my mouth out with soap”~! Also featuring an Original Female Character.
His mind is a cosmic chaos of emotions. Not even skating himself to the death is helping him.
As the past six months ran by, his communication with his labeled “bestie” remained ambiguously normal. They talk on Skype as they usually do, always ranging from their skating routines to their daily nonsense (cats, weather, etc.). And it was perfectly normal. They barely engaged a conversation on love, Mila, or… the Accident (because it totally was; come on, he wasn’t thinking straight.) and that is totally normal in their imaginary rule book. Even before said fiasco, they never really took the time to indulge on that topic, merely in passing (“who was your first kiss”, “who was the worst partner”, “the most embarrassing moment when you dated”). So yea. Totally mundane and ordinary.
Except it wasn’t okay. It took all his strength not to broach on any topic. It would be weird and awkward. Awkweird. It was not the line friends cross and while he did cross the line by an inch, he was just pushed back to his side of the line where he initially belonged. Beka, being casual and everything, did not initiate nor push him about it. He merely kept his usual composure, just how the way things were.
And it only fueled his turmoil. It doesn’t help that his relationship with Mila grew fragile. A few days after he left, she had this.. look. There was no smile this time but there was something on her expression that she knew something.. that somehow it was his fault that he fucked up their relationship.
Through this chaos, anger at himself became his drive in training. But it wasn’t only anger, there was a whole icing of anguish spread on top. He stretched his limits, to the brink of his own sanity, almost tearing his body from limb to limb. To those who noticed said nothing, merely watching from afar and only intervening when he came close to passing out.
And said intervention came to the rescue. She was a friend of his from overseas who lived with katsudon and old man. Her parents and Katstudon’s parents go way back and decided to ship her here in Russia for a mini vacation.
***
Tine [20:30] Yo asshole!
[20:45] tf do u want bitch? why are you still up? katsudon would’ve put you to bed by now..
Tine [20:47] Ahem. I’m a fucking 20-year-old adult. I make the rules.
[20:48] 20-year-old adult in a fifteen-year-old body :p
Tine [20:49] HEY! Watch it, kid, regardless of our two-year gap, I’m still older than you.
[20:50] yea. but i LOOK older than you :p even old man thinks ur my little sis
Tine [20:59] ...point taken.
Tine [21:00] Anyways. How’s it going?
[21:01] cut the crap
Tine [21:03] YOU cut the crap, Mr. “I’m angry with the world and everything that’s teen angst”
[21:06] ur lame af
Tine [21:04] And you’re stalling... haven’t heard from you much.. what’s really up..? how’s he doing?
[21:06] same old same old.. the usual.. nothing changed really..
Tine [21:07] ....After all that?
Tine [21:08] That fucking sucks.
[21:13] tell me about it
[21:15] what makes it worse is mila hasn’t really talked to me..
[21:17] and i’m too distracted in coming up with any ideas for my theme and song music..
[21:18] and beka’s.. Beka’s okay. We’re cool. We talk the usual shit.
Tine [21:19] but you’re not okay.
[21:20] ...is that all you got? putting out the obv?
Tine [21:21] Hm.
[21:22] spill it woman, i don’t have all night for this
Tine [21:23] What say you and I do a little music jam? Make a Youtube account?
[21:24] whut
Tine [21:25] For a stress reliever, dumbass. You can sing. I can sing. We both can play the guitar and we can put it up on Youtube.. Plus we can search for some music you might like that’s beyond classical. It’s a win-win for everyone.
[21:28] what do u get out of this?
Tine [21:30] To do something for shits and giggles. Something nice for my spare time.
Tine [21:31] What say you?
[21:34] sure i guess
Tine [21:25] Such enthusiasm.
[21:26] hey ur asking a lot from me here.
***
True to heart, they went music scavenging as planned on the days he finished his training. That meant his time with his friend from overseas overlapped with his Skyping time with Otabek. He introduced the two one evening and it went slightly awkward, seeing as they barely have anything in common except for maybe some literature, but that was only in passing. She and Yuri decided to keep the music project a secret, with the viable excuse of her being there was to be watched over (”Hey, I’m older than you, you know” “You don’t act like it”). Otabek didn’t mind of course. They still kept their conversations as mundane as they make it while Tine sat beside him mostly in silence, sometimes listening, sometimes reading some shit (”Seriously, just pretend I don’t exist; i don’t usually wanna talk” she laughed). It was an upgraded routine for all of them and no one seemed to mind one bit.
He wasn’t exactly sure how she managed to rope him into this. While yes they both have the skills to do so, he was hesitant in trying her songs. Most of them were dark, creepy and downright strange. She also had a wide variety of options. There was an equal proportion of hip hop, grunge, metal, acoustic, with a few jazz and blues combined. Beka helped as well, seeing he is a DJ and has encountered most of the music she presented. However, he never truly found out what Yuri needed for, only for some new music to skate for.
(Sometimes, he can feel his best friend has an inkling of what they were up to, but that’s just paranoia).
Fortunately, it only took two weeks for them to find a song they both liked.
***
yuri-plisetsky
Soap Cover - Melanie Martinez
[one minute sneak peak video]
“I feel it coming out my throat Guess I better wash my mouth out with soap God, I wish I never spoke Now I gotta wash my mouth out with soap”
[link to Youtube]
#melaniemartinez #cover #soap
Tagged: @chriscapss
6,321 views
View all 763 comments
BestYuriAngels OMFG HE CAN ACTUALLY SING!!!
christophe-gc Such accent!!! <3 Love his voice
Yurisonlylover Who’s she? His surrogate sister or something?
BestYuriAngels @Yurisonlylover I think so.. I saw a picture of them once. [link]
phichit+chu Damn that voice~
v-nikiforov Wow! Amazing, Yurio! @yuri-plisetsky @chriscapss
chriscapps Damn.. so many views per day.. You’re good for this music business @yuri-plisetsky.
***
They only posted one video yet they were already famous. His phone exploded with notifications filled with likes, dislikes and comments. Yakov didn’t seem care, as long as he kept on practicing his usual routines. Mila started talking to him again, with the help of Tin. He introduced them three days after he uploaded their video. One look from Mila and she was already adored by the older skater (”YURI SHE’S SO ADORABLE!!!”). They now go out for coffee breaks.
And Otabek.. Beka was impressed. Still is. After he found out the video, they finally found another topic that piqued their interest: music.
***
Beka [17:00] Hey. Nice cover. When did you learn how to sing like that?
[17:02] a couple of years back, tine’s first visit in russia. We had a couple of gigs together, but this is the first time we ever posted a song that we actually like.
Beka [17:03] You had a lot of disagreements before?
[17:04] pfft, more like full-blown arguments. her song choices can be a little creepy
Beka [17:05] I noticed...
***
Since then, there conversations prolonged and gradually, contentment filled his emotions more than his own anguish over unrequited affections. This upgraded their routine and level of closeness further and while it was not what his other part of himself had hoped, it was enough for him to have that familiar comfort of talking to him again.
This music project isn’t so bad after all.
***
yuri-plisetsky
Carousel Cover - Melanie Martinez
[one minute sneak peak]
“And it's all fun and games, 'Til somebody falls in love, But you've already bought a ticket, And there's no turning back now”
[link to Youtube]
#melaniemartinez #cover #thissongrocks
Tagged: @chriscapss
8,453 views
View all 532 comments
YuriPisMyJam God, that voice.. I live for that voice
Plisexyness Another Melanie?? Is he a CryBaby fan?
chriscapss @Plisexyness I am the huge fan. He just happened to like some of her songs.
Y-Angels56 @chriscapss OMFG, can you do a cover on Cry Baby? Training Wheels? Are you guys gonna cover the whole album.
chriscapss @Y-Angels56 Nah haha. Maybe?
yuri-plisetsy @chriscapss no..
***
Tine [19:00] Any ideas for your music theme?
[20:15] none yet..
Tine [20:25] You doin’ ayt?
[20:30] more or less.. fucking tired though. almost collapsed when i couldn’t nail that jump right...
Tine [20:31] Ah
[20:33] beka and i are doing okay if that’s what you’re asking... am weirded out by mila though.
Tine [20:36] Why?
[20:40] she seems to be talking to me now.. beka hasn’t mentioned about her at all. not like we talk about dating so seriously..
Tine [20:41] Seems okay.. What’s the problem though..
[20:43] nothing i guess..
Tine [20:45] Hm..
[20:47] wanna jam something tom? i think.. i may have a few ideas for my program..
Tine [20:48] Same artist?
[20:49] omfg ur killing me u know...
Tine [20:50] So you do like all of her songs now?
[20:51] not all, okay.. a couple... but she grew on me.. i’ll admit that..
Tine [20:55] YAY! So what say we pick another poison from her album?
***
yuri-plisetsky
Cake Cover - Melanie Martinez
[one minute preview video]
“I feel like I'm just missing Something whenever you leave We've got all the ingredients Except you needing me”
[link to Youtube]
#melaniemartinez #thisonetookthecake #freakinggenius
Tagged: @chriscapss
7,345 views
View all 4556 comments
YuriPisMyJam Okay, third time’s the charm. wtf is going on here?
BestYuriAngels This is just their third song, but they’re all the same artists..
Y-Angels56 That’s just the third video.. nothing much to discern over anything yet..
YuriPisMyJam @Y-Angels yea but.. come on, the chosen lyrics? the chosen songs? there’s something going on...
leodglesia woah @yuri-plisetsky never knew you were a fan.. we should put up some gigs sometime.
***
The internet is now speculating on said posts. It had only been three covers of the same artist and people are already assuming that therein lies a deeper intentions that the said skater was hiding. Even the people around him were starting to wonder, with the stupid pig and stupid old man barraging him with hugs, questioning his mental well-being or if he was moping for someone. Mila even singled him out once or twice over the week, not-so-subtley prying for answer. Otabek was speculative (his best friend is too smart for his own good) but only mentioned in passing. Yuri could only keep up with the excuse to their covers as Tine being an avid fan.
And that was true.
Only, this was an outlet; a healthy outlet to convey his raging emotions. Little did he care that Otabek was oblivious to their purpose now. In a way, it’s pouring his intentions in guise of a singer’s spontaneity (because of this, he was glad that he had Tine singing with him; she’s a really good use for an excuse).
He admittedly grew an appreciation for the artist, how much skill and talent was shown through the way she writes them, and the way she sang each of her songs.
To that extent, it was already giving him ideas for his music and theme for the upcoming competition.
God, he is such a sap.
***
Tine [21:00] Ready for tom?
[21:34] yep.
***
yuri-plisetsky
Training Wheels Cover - Melanie Martinez
[one minute preview video]
“You've been riding two-wheelers all your life It's not like I'm asking to be your wife I wanna make you mine, but that's hard to say Is this coming off in a cheesy way?”
[link to Youtube]
#melaniemartinez #awesomesong
Tagged: @chriscapss
9,234 views
View all 5,656 comments
YuriPisMyJam omfg something else is going on... I just know it..
Y-Angels So maybe there is...
leodglesia Awesome cover, guys!!! Sick guitar plucking @chriscapss
saymyname what is with the Crybaby themes??? Could it be..?
Y-Angels Pining? Unrequited love??? they’re quite apparent...
saymyname maybe it’s just a coincidence.. who knows..
****
Beka [23:30] Hey. Great cover today *thumbs up emoji*
[00:01] thnx..
A/N: Credits to Melanie Martinez and her awesome album track!!
#otayuri week 2017#day 2#otayuri#otabek#yurio#mila babicheva#original female character#social media#songfic?#ellipsesarefun writes
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You know the drill, all tHE ASKS
Why
Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora? I don’t actually use any of them
is your room messy or clean? Room is okay, but desk looks like a war zone
what color are your eyes? brown
do you like your name? why? Yeah? It’s fairly unique but it’s spelled how it sounds, which is nice. And I’m used to it so
what is your relationship status? in a polyamorous relationship with about a dozen fictional characters
describe your personality in 3 words or less um…. obsessive, spontaneous, triestobeagoodfriendbutidkhowconsistentlyisucceed (that counts as one word right?)
what color hair do you have? brown
what kind of car do you drive? color? 20 years old and don’t have a driver’s licence eyyyy
where do you shop? At stores? Mostly of the grocery variety
how would you describe your style? Pretty casual I guess. Jeans and tanktops/t-shirts, dark colors, boots, army jacket
favorite social media account Does the OT count as social media? If so that
what size bed do you have? Sad little twin-sized mattress with very broken innersprings (yay college apartments)
any siblings? one younger sister
if you can live anywhere in the world where would it be? why? I’m honestly loving Edinburgh so staying here for the time being would be great
favorite snapchat filter? don’t have snapchat, so don’t know
favorite makeup brand(s) whatever’s cheap and doesn’t smudge
how many times a week do you shower? Usually every other day, so, like, 3-4. If it’s hot out then closer to 5-6
favorite tv show? FIREFLY. With additional special mentions to Blackadder, M*A*S*H, and Merlin
shoe size? US size? UK size? European size? CAN YOU TELL I’VE HAD A CONFUSING TIME SHOE SHOPPING OVER HERE??? (US 8, Euro 39, UK a Mystery)
how tall are you? 5′5″
sandals or sneakers? COMBAT BOOTS (but converse are second place so sneakers)
do you go to the gym? pfffft no
describe your dream date A ride in the Millennium Falcon with Han Solo would be pretty cool
how much money do you have in your wallet at the moment? *checks* around £55
what color socks are you wearing? not wearing socks
how many pillows do you sleep with? two
do you have a job? what do you do? college student who really does need to start thinking about an actual job, seeing as how they’re graduating in a few months
how many friends do you have? I think that number really depends on where you draw the what-defines-a-friend line but, um, a decent enough number I guess? I do need more irl friends over here though
whats the worst thing you have ever done? Some high school friends and I were kinda shitty to this one girl in our group, so maybe that. Idk, I’ve done a lot of small-ish terrible things but nothing super dramatic so it’s hard to pick one as the /worst/
whats your favorite candle scent? IKEA had this one green-apple-scented candle that to this day I wish I would have bought.
3 favorite boy names That’s so hard to narrow down and now all I can think of are fictional characters that I like. Um… *throws darts at mental dartboard* Sam, Nathan, Adrian. Although those might be pretty heavily influenced by the fact that I’ve met awesome people with all of those names so. For fictional characters, Kaz Brekker is a fantastic name, as is Han Solo, as is Ronan Lynch, and…. I should stop. There are so many names that I like though
3 favorite girl names Same problem as above. *throws more mental darts* Sierra, Lyra, Clare
favorite actor? I’m currently in watch-everything-that-Diego-Luna-has-ever-been-in mode. More long-term favorites are Harrison Ford and Richard Armitage
favorite actress? Catherine Tate is pretty fantabulous.
who is your celebrity crush? I like how the question asks for “crush,” singular
favorite movie? Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park
do you read a lot? whats your favorite book? Not as much as I used to. Favorites (yes, plural) include The Book Thief, Six of Crows, Illuminae, Inkspell, The Dream Thieves, Half Moon Investigations, and so many more…..
money or brains? For me or in others? Either way, both is always nice xD
do you have a nickname? what is it? Well the OT crew knows me as Clary so. My camp counselor name was Coconut
how many times have you been to the hospital? I’ve been to the ER once or twice, but I don’t think I’ve ever stayed overnight in a hospital
top 10 favorite songs How dare you. Okay, um…. *tries to pick from a variety of bands and not just my 1-2 faves* Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back (MCR), Daze (Poets of the Fall), When Everything Comes to an End (Plan Three), Brush it Off (Plan Three), Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day), Morning Tide (PotF), Subrosa (Plan Three), What About Now (Daughtry), Ambulance (MCR), Rogue (PotF)…. that’s ten…. that didn’t even come CLOSE to covering them all (and so much for a variety of bands, heh)
do you take any medications daily? nope
what is your skin type? (oily, dry, etc) Pretty normal? Maybe slightly on the oily side
what is your biggest fear? jellyfish and plane crashes
how many kids do you want? ZERO, ZIP, ZILCH, NADA, NONE, KEINE, NUL. NO THANK YOU.
whats your go to hair style? Well seeing as how my hair’s kinda too short to do much with it, either down or in a partial ponytail
what type of house do you live in? (big, small, etc) grimy old student apartment woohoo
who is your role model? Nina Zenik
what was the last compliment you received? I have no idea
what was the last text you sent? “Honestly though I can’t say I’d mind if he actually did invade my hotel room. He’s one of the few people that could get away with it ;D” …..I’m not sure whether the context would make this better or worse
how old were you when you found out santa wasn’t real? 8, maybe? There was never a dramatic earth-shattering reveal; understanding was kinda gradual
what is your dream car? a spaceship
opinion on smoking? it’s disgusting why would you ever
do you go to college? yes
what is your dream job? underwater archaeologist by day, bestselling novelist by night. space pirate is also an option.
would you rather live in rural areas or the suburbs? Can I just say smack-dab in the city center? Is that not an option? Because that’s where I am now and I’m loving it.
do you take shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels? No but the last hotels I was in provided instant tea/coffee/hot chocolate packets and I stole all the hot chocolate packets
do you have freckles? no
do you smile for pictures? usually
how many pictures do you have on your phone? 1248. I need to delete a bunch.
have you ever peed in the woods? Yes, many times. I’ve also peed in the desert many times.
do you still watch cartoons? Yes, although different ones than from when I was a kid
do you prefer chicken nuggets from Wendy’s or McDonalds? Neither, honestly
Favorite dipping sauce? There’s this one place in San Francisco whose french fries are, like, award-winning and they have a zillion dipping sauces, one of which is a lemon saffron aioli and it is heavenly.
what do you wear to bed? a t-shirt and sometimes pants, if it’s cold enough
have you ever won a spelling bee? no but I think I was in the top ten?
what are your hobbies? wasting time, reading, watching movies/tv shows, writing and drawing when I have the motivation
can you draw? Kind of?
do you play an instrument? Clarinet for 11 years, plus saxophone, mediocre piano, and mediocre guitar
what was the last concert you saw? Poets of the Fall. I died. Many times over.
tea or coffee? neither honestly, though tea if I absolutely had to pick
Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts? Don’t really care
do you want to get married? If I somehow find a way to make fictional characters come to life, sure
what is your crush’s first and last initial? S.B.
are you going to change your last name when you get married? Unless I marry someone with an impossibly cool last name, no
what color looks best on you? probably black. purple and olive green look good too
do you miss anyone right now? The SOAR Squad
do you sleep with your door open or closed? Considering I share an apartment with five other students, closed, always
do you believe in ghosts? not really, no
what is your biggest pet peeve? When people are unwilling to look facts in the eye
last person you called? Maybe my mom?
favorite ice cream flavor? COOKIE DOUGH
regular oreos or golden oreos? Does golden mean no chocolate? If so then regular, why would you take away chocolate
chocolate or rainbow sprinkles? always chocolate
what shirt are you wearing? a purple one that for once isn’t fandom related
what is your phone background? Sir Gwaine in sunglasses
are you outgoing or shy? It honestly depends. I think I’ve gotten a lot better at pretending to be outgoing
do you like it when people play with your hair? Depends who that person is
do you like your neighbors? I’m gonna interpret this as apartment-mates and while I don’t really know them too well yeah they seem pretty alright
do you wash your face? at night? in the morning? Whenever I shower
have you ever been high? Only on sugar and sleep deprivation
have you ever been drunk? Yes, but not enough to black out or give me a hangover
last thing you ate? Cheesy bacon-ey mushroom-ey salsa-ey scrambled eggs
favorite lyrics right now “And now assassination is just the only waaaaayyyyyy…..” by the cowboys in Dr. Horrible
summer or winter? Winter if there’s snow, but summer’s great too. idk
day or night? Night
dark, milk, or white chocolate? All of the above?
favorite month? October has the best weather
what is your zodiac sign? go away
who was the last person you cried in front of? My friend Josh (some of you might know him as medieval dude 1.0) because I went to see Rogue One with him
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Hazel Eyes & Cake Pops [Ch. 20]
Read on Ao3 here
For the first time, week ten was uneventful and not as hectic as it usually was. Maybe because I actually got my assignments done and actually liked them; I owe it all to Kate in more way than one. She became sort of a motivation for me, both for Sunday and for taking the time out to hang out with me whenever. Not just physically too; I don’t think I’ve ever text someone so often. Every single day, a good morning text and a goodnight one, whatever the conversation turned out to be. There were a couple nights she texts me, not with the single-worded greeting, but with a YouTube link to a cat video.
I didn’t question it; it was such a Kate thing to do.
When the week was over, I rested on Saturday, lying on the couch I learned to be comfortable on, and texting her back and forth.
Are you ready for tomorrow? I could feel how happy she was through the screen.
If I was honest, I wasn’t. I was ready to explode from feeling the way that I did. My racing heart and my fidgeting hands felt… different, somehow. It wasn’t unwelcomed.
As ready as I’ll ever be.
It was established that Chloe was going to drop me off at her apartment. Kate said that everything was within walking distance of each other.
It was kind of late and I was home alone, since Rachel and Chloe went out to HUE sf again. Rachel really wanted to watch her work behind the bar. Because it was tomorrow, I had to ask:
Are we going to church?
It was pretty obvious, mostly because of the day. I thought people went to church earlier, but what the hell did I know about going there? It was going to be an interesting experience for someone like me.
That’s in the morning. It’s only an hour long, so you won’t be suffering for so long.
I won’t be suffering! Bored, but I’ll pay attention.
I hoped to meet her friends, especially the ones creating the short film. I learned recently that our school was having a special film festival with the theme called “Growth.” It was pretty clever.
I can promise you that the rest of the day will be good!
All days are good with you in them.
I hesitated to send it. I pressed “send” as quickly as I could before I thought about it too long.
I lied on the couch in a ripped-up shirt and shorts, finally feeling the heat of late-March. I let my legs hang off the armrest, swinging them as I waited for more texts to pop up. I still had the yellow bracelet around my wrist.
You’re a smooth talker now?
Smooth as sandpaper maybe.
A dumb grin stayed plastered on my face as I stared at the text bubbles. I left the messages and was greeted by my phone background, which was still of the forest in Arcadia Bay. I needed to change it, it has been a year away from there, but I haven’t found a good picture to replace it with.
You don’t give yourself enough credit!
Kek are you saying I’m smooth?
I sat up, taking my legs off the armrest to answer a call I was getting from Rachel.
“Hello?”
“Hey Max, how are you? Doing okay being alone?” It was quiet on her side, she had to be outside or in the restroom.
“It’s not that lonely. I’ve been talking to Kate.”
“Of course,” she chuckled, “Must be nice to be all bi yourself.”
It took a minute for me to understand that, “… Oh, my dog, what did Chloe do to you?”
“Hey, I’m bi too, the joke was too easy.”
I could only roll my eyes. It was genius.
“We’ll be back sometime in the morning. Before you have to go, for sure!” Rachel reassured.
“It’s at ten, don’t worry.”
“I know, I know,” she finished with a sigh, “Anyway, gotta go. Can’t stay in a bathroom forever.”
“Have fun partying.”
“Will do. See you later.”
She hung up first. Another message greeted me as I put my phone down.
Like silk, Max.
I had that stupid grin on my face again. At the moment, nothing else seemed to matter.
But I’m feeling pretty sleepy. She texts again.
You should sleep too. We have a busy day tomorrow after all.
Goodnight, Max. xoxoxo
I sent a goodnight back and tossed my phone aside. This was the time to give myself a pep talk. I’ve been having a really good past few weeks and I cannot afford to mess anything up. Mess-up was my middle name and the thought of ruining anything or making her feel weird about how much I truly liked her made my head hurt. Pressing my hands against my head, I was hunched over, trying to stop those thoughts from shutting me down. I had to have more faith in myself.
The initial feeling was the worst. The pain in my chest hurt and the tips of my fingers felt like pins and needles going into them.
Maybe I shouldn’t go… I should cancel… She’s never going to talk to me again once she knows…
I was slowly but surely learning to act around her like how I act around Rachel and Chloe. I was starting to overthink. I took deep breaths, standing up and hopping around, and shaking my hands around to get the feeling out. I had to stay as positive as possible. I landed on the couch again, still hunching over and a hand on my forehead. I lied down, staring up at the ceiling.
This couldn’t happen. Not right now.
After what felt like hours, I was able to catch some z’s, enough to wake up the next day to Rachel and Chloe talking.
“What should we do for their quarter break? We need to push them just a little closer.” Rachel was trying to stay quiet.
“No kidding,” Chloe said, “But let’s just do our plans and bring them along. Let them do their own thing.”
I couldn’t think of where exactly they would go, let alone take us. I stayed lying down, pretending to still sleep as they continued conversing.
“I don’t know if Max’s heart could take it.”
“She knows how to take care of herself. She has better control.”
“You think so?”
It was semi-true. I appreciated Chloe for saying so.
Rachel spoke again, “Let’s wake her up then. We’ll talk about it.”
I closed my eyes again and waited for them to “wake” me up. I thought about things I could say or do, saying a pun or a joke. Something along the lines of “waking up is really an eye-opening experience.” I declined against it, though.
“Maxmanian devil,” Chloe grabbed my arm and shook me around, “We have shit to say.”
I fluttered my eyes open and looked up at them, towering over me. I sat up and they sat down with me, sandwiching me in the middle.
“We made some plans during your week off,” Rachel started, placing her hand on my knee, “And we just want to make sure that it’ll be good for both you and Kate. You know, so you two can come along.”
“And what plans are those?”
“I’m glad you asked! It’s technically your spring break, so there are plenty of parties going off and since I want to go see Long Beach again, there are huge parties happening there. I’ve already rented a beach house.”
Again, she said it so casually, I nearly fell out of my seat.
“I don’t know…”
“We just want to make sure that you’ll be okay with going to places like that. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable around so many people.”
I had to think about it. It was going to be hard, but if I keep a positive mind and balance out my time being surrounded by people and being alone, nothing bad should happen.
“You guys don’t have to worry about me.” I said.
They looked at each other, then back at me.
“Just ask if she wants to come along, okay?” Rachel patted my knee.
I nodded.
“You should get ready,” Chloe reminded me, “You have an hour left.”
I slapped Chloe’s arm, “You could have woken me up sooner!”
I stood up and quickly headed to the bathroom, hearing “At least I didn’t wake you up ten minutes beforehand.”
When I closed the door behind me, there was already an outfit ready for me on top of our hamper. Pretty sure it was Rachel. I hurriedly showered and got into my outfit. It was simple, plain pink shirt and, surprisingly, my blue jeans. I felt like my old self again.
Chloe drove me, leaving Rachel at home, and it was back to loud rock music blasting from the radio. She was bobbing her head and tapping her hand on the wheel. I guess it was now to tell her about the tattoo. I turned the volume knob down.
“Yo, what the fuck.”
“Hey, I just want to mention the tattoo thing again.” I held my hands up defensively.
She smiled at me with interest.
“I need your opinion, that is all.”
“Can’t wait to hear this shit.”
“I was thinking maybe on my shoulder blade? What do you think?”
“Hell. Yes. I’m all for it. What do you want?” She was beaming from ear-to-ear.
“That I needed an opinion on. I should totally just get a camera, huh?”
“How big can you handle? That’s what he said!” She rushed to say the second part.
I chuckled and shook my head, “Well, if you were able to handle your first design, I feel like I could do anything.”
Chloe smirked, “I’m hella excited for this!”
She punched my arm as she laughed and I couldn’t help but laugh along with her. For the whole ride, she turned the music back up and the atmosphere was so lively. In front of Kate’s apartment, we saw a few people from upstairs leave their houses with backpacks and large plastic bottles, probably going to study for finals.
“Have fun on your date,” Chloe patted me on my shoulder, “Don’t fuck up.”
I huffed through my nose and let, saying thanks on the way out. I went up to the apartment door and gave it three knocks. I looked behind me and saw that she had already left.
The door opened and Kate was on the other side, instantly smiling at me, “Hey Max, come in.”
“Thanks,” I smiled back at her, “You look nice today.”
“Thank you, so do you.”
Unlike before, she was more covered and had her hair up in a nicer bun. We sat down on her couch; thank dog Victoria was already gone.
“Isn’t it a little hot?”
“I always dressed this way. Plus, it’s more favorite cardigan. Feel it, it’s not that thick.” She reached her arm out and her sleeves still covered her hands. I felt the blue sweater and, sure enough, it was so thin I could feel her body heat.
“Did you eat at all?” She asked me.
Damn it, I forgot to grab something on the way out. I could already see her being disappointed. I was ready to lie and said I had a full meal. I cleared my throat.
“I wasn’t able to eat anything.” I mumbled.
“Pardon me?”
“I didn’t eat anything. I woke up late.”
I expected to get a hit on the wrist or a shove, but Kate asked, “Would you like something? We have those mini boxes of cereal.”
“I would love one. No fancy breakfast plates?”
“I bought them for myself,” She walked to the kitchen and went into the cupboard, “This whole week, she has been going out and eating with her friends.”
The cupboard was full of the small cereal boxes, bags of chips, and other green boxes I assumed was green tea. She grabbed a blue one and handed it to me as she sat down.
“She doesn’t even take you?”
“Oh no, I choose not to go with her. Her friends don’t like me so much…”
I ripped the box open and ate one after the other. I haven’t eaten Frosted Flakes in forever, but the sugary taste reminded me of why I stopped.
“How come?”
“I just overheard them once talking about me. Victoria defended me and that’s nice, but I don’t like seeing them. Not after that.”
“That’s fu—messed up.”
Kate chuckled, “Nice save.”
After I finished the box, we left her apartment. She did the usual and hooked onto my arm as we walked together. The sidewalk was practically empty and I was able to keep a steady pace for her.
“Oh, Rachel and Chloe are planning a road trip to Long Beach. They wanted to know if you’d like to come along with us.”
“What are you guys going to do?”
“Rachel said partying and whatever, but she rented a beach house just for us if you come along.”
“You’ll be a third wheel again, huh?”
“… Yeah, pretty much.”
Kate giggled, “I won’t be partying much, though.”
“Same for me. I’ll probably be in the room more than being with them at all.”
“…Why not, I’ll come along with you.”
I was shocked. I thought she would decline right away after mentioning anything about a party. But, I did remember that she said something about how she never actually goes anywhere during the breaks.
“For real? I didn’t think you would accept it.”
“Well, there are beautiful places there I could draw and I wouldn’t want you to be alone.”
I did a little side smile; at least I wouldn’t be alone.
We arrived to a brick chapel about another thirty minutes with lots of turns. I would have never known about it, because despite being such a large structure, it was stuck behind taller buildings. It was how I imagined churches: lots of stairs, pillars, and on the roof, the cross was perched right on the front. It was a really wide structure with plenty of doors to choose from to walk through.
I was winded from going up the flight of stairs; I hope Kate didn’t notice. She guided me in and everything inside felt so… suffocating. The pews were brown and, from the sound of people sitting down, squeaky, pure white walls with rectangular windows, red carpet, and the altar with a single brown table and a giant cross behind it. I was feeling a little nervous being in this place.
She guided me to a middle row and sat the right side. It was probably obvious that I was feeling very self-conscious. As my eyes darted around and my hands were fidgeting together, I felt Kate’s hand sneak her way in and held mine tightly.
I gulped dryly and exhaled deeply, looking at her with a forced smile. She was observing me with a worried look and I felt her thumb rubbing back and forth. I was relaxing slowly, but as soon as a nuclear family came to sit in our row, she had to let go. Her body language changed, holding her hands in her lap, crossing her ankles, and her face became expressionless.
The mass was a lot of reading, singing, sitting down, standing up, and a long speech about how the readings could apply to real life. It was so long and drawn-out, talking about how we should do what makes us happy and love everyone in our lives, I felt bad that I was falling asleep. At one point, my head landed on Kate’s shoulder, but I sat up right away. Eventually, we reached near the end of the service.
“Let’s go.” Kate whispered.
“Already? But, what about that line, thing?”
Everyone was starting to stand up and get in line towards the altar. I think it was the part for bread and wine.
“It’s fine, unless you want to wait outside.”
Nope, I needed to leave before I fall asleep. I waved my hand for her to come with me and left. I felt people staring at us as we were walking out, but I ignored them to the best of my ability. Outside, I let out the breath I was holding, hunched over with my hands on my knees.
“Are you okay?” She placed her hand on my back.
I stood up straight again, “I’m good.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t like it all that much. I told you that you wouldn’t like it!”
“I still wanted to try!”
Kate smiled and then grabbed me, pulling me into an embrace, “You did fine.”
I was frozen in place for a second. She had her arms around my neck and my hands hovered at her waist before I finally hugged her around her back.
When she let go, she said, “That was for earlier. You looked scared to death.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Only a little bit,” she shrugged her shoulders, “We should go before everyone else start coming out.”
“Good idea.”
We left down the stairs and went deeper into the city. I was following her as we passed more businesses like flower shops, a music store, and a small pet shop with fluffy puppies at the window. Kate was acting like her holding hands with me in church never happened or how she acted after she had to let go.
Was holding hands with me weird? No, it couldn’t be because we’ve done it before. Hell, we’re doing it right now! Was it weird because it was in a church?
“Where are we going now?” I asked.
“You said you wanted to see the filming of the short film, so we’re going to the library we chose. I don’t know how many of my friends will be there, though. It is cram time after all.”
My pulse spiked up and there was a sudden pain in my stomach. What should I say when I meet them?
Hi, I’m Max. Hey, my name is Max. Hi, I’m gay for your friend.
“They all want to meet you,” she looked at me with a grin, “They’re all dorky and funny, so don’t be too worried.”
“Me? Worried? Never heard of it.” I awkwardly chuckled.
She shook her head, “You’ll be okay! They already like you and they haven’t met you yet!”
I could only chuckle. The library was only ten minutes away, thankfully no stairs. I wouldn’t have known it was library, because there was no sign outside. It reminded of school in a way, as it was also five floors from what I could tell. The building’s design was like those black-and-white aesthetic backgrounds on Tumblr. Like, huge tiles.
It was really spacious on the inside, though more white walls and large windows. Standing at the doors, I had to take it all in first. The room we were in was just a large open room, with nothing in it. In front of us, there was a large hallway leading towards an elevator. From where I was standing, my head couldn’t stop going from side-to-side to look at the large windows of each floor. What connected the two sides were bridges with glass barriers to protect people from falling.
“Holy shit…” I awed.
“Beautiful, right?” She asked me. She didn’t seem to mind me cursing.
“I hate that I didn’t know it existed.” Another thing I forgot: my camera.
“I didn’t either! My friend, Ledah, goes here to study and I was so mad that they waited until a couple weeks ago to finally tell us about this place. It doesn’t even look like a library on the outside.”
“I know!”
She giggled, “Anyway, we have to go see them! Come on!”
She held my hand again and we went to the elevator. We stayed quiet as the elevator went to the fifth floor. Pulling me behind her, she guided me through the many bookcases until we ended up in a science fiction section where a group of four people were standing in.
“Kate!” One of them yelled loudly in the middle of a library.
“Hey you guys,” she greeted back, quietly, “It’s just you two?”
“Cram session,” the same person replied, “So, it’ll be your faithful director who gives no fucks about grades and your dead inside camera director.”
Kate hummed and then pushed me closer to them, “Max, Ledah and Erin. Ledah and Erin, Max.”
“So, you’re the one that’s been taking Kate away from us,” Ledah was the one with gray-dyed hair and matching-colored shirt, who grabbed Kate into a hug, “She’s ours.”
“You’re so dramatic.” She hugged back.
“I’m your mother now.”
“Stop it.” She pushed them off.
I laughed, I felt awkward where I was, “This is a great location for your film.”
Maybe she was touchy with everyone she knew…
“You should’ve seen the other places,” Erin was the one wearing all green and was wearing sunglasses indoors, “It’s better here. Wendy’s.”
“Huh?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You never heard of that slogan? Yeesh.”
I was ready to roast the fuck out of those stupid “deal with it” sunglasses. That was a dead meme. But, the tingle in my hands and feet stopped that from happening.
“You guys are too mean to her.” Kate slapped both of them on their arms.
“Don’t slap your mother like that.” Erin gasped, placing their hand over their mouth.
“Oh, and these two are our actresses.” Kate went up to the two girls talking to each other. I weakly waved my hand at them and they were smiled and waved back. One of them strangely looked like Kate, due to blonde hair and a nearly the same outfit as Kate wore on Saturday, just no suspenders. And the other one looked like me; even she had freckles, a similar hairstyle, and we were the exact same height.
“For reals though, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Ledah reached her hand over, “She never shuts up about you.”
I thought it was a handshake, but it was a hand slap and fist bump. I was about a second behind.
“Only because you guys never shut up about her.” Kate asserted.
“Can you please stop talking to your mother like that?” Erin reiterated.
I sat at a different table as Erin worked the camera, Ledah was nodding their head, and Kate was simply observing. I vaguely remembered her saying that it was a silent film. The scene was currently the two other girls sitting at a desk and reading off the same book. I could feel how gay it was from where I was sitting.
Kate looked back at me from time to time, smiling and giving me a thumbs-up. I sent her a thumbs-up back to reassure her. It was nice to actually see times they burst out laughing from how awkward it became. They keep forgetting what actions to do or if it was lasting too long and then had to start over.
She finally walked over to me and sat down next to me.
“Enjoying yourself?” She asked.
“Yeah, but one question.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Am I the only one who thinks those two kinda look like us?”
Kate looked at the two actresses, even leaning over and squinting her eyes a little. She looked back at me with a confused look on her face, “I think it’s just you.”
“Really?”
“They don’t look like us at all, Max.”
“Could you ask your friends?”
Kate rolled her eyes, but called their names through whisper-yelling.
“What’s up?” Ledah sat down across from me.
“Max thinks they look like us.” Kate pointed back and forth at us and them.
Ledah and Erin looked behind them and then back at me. Erin lifted their sunglasses up, “Are your eyes okay?”
“Never mind,” I shook my head, “I guess I’m crazy.”
I balled my hands up into fists and accepted that I was just crazy.
The filming went on until the two girls were about to kiss and then the girl-that-looked-like-me pretended to get a text and had to leave. Kate stayed by my side, still watching the filming, and still letting me know that they looked nothing like us.
“That’s Act Two, boy.” Erin unironically dabbed.
“You guys are free to go and bring my daughter home by nine-thirty.”
I forcefully chuckled. Kate waved and said goodbye and followed. That whole situation was stressful somehow.
“Any other places we’re going?”
“Just one more actually,” Kate grabbed my hand again, “We passed it on the way here.”
I gasped, “The pet store.”
“Nope, but it’s pretty close. We could visit it.”
We walked out again, leaving towards the same direction we came from. On the way there, Kate was periodically checking her phone. I saw that she was looking at text messages, but she didn’t reply to them.
We arrived to the music shop, though the puppies caught my eye again. We walked in and we were greeted by guitars and pianos at the front. Violins, cellos, and other various woodwind instruments lined the walls while drums and amps took up the middle of the store. A heavily-tattooed man behind the glass table filled with picks and strings greeted us on the way in. I think there was a class going on in the back for piano players.
“You’re going to make me play, aren’t you?” I guessed.
“I’ll play for you too if you play for me.” She smirked at me. She went up to the man, asking if we could use any of the guitars. He grabbed one near him, a classic brown which totally reminded me of the one I used to have, and checked if it was in tune. When he handed it over, Kate turned and handed it to me. I haven’t played since I left Arcadia Bay; I was going to be absolute shit at this.
I sat down at a nearby stool and Kate pulled one up close to me. She waited patiently.
I hesitated and I was starting to freeze up. I cracked my knuckles to buy me some time. I started to strum out to a song I remembered and knew I couldn’t mess up. It was a song I played once in a while back in Blackwell to pass time.
I could see Kate nodding her head and smiling as she listened to me. I wasn’t sure how many minutes passed, but as soon as I messed up a note, I stopped immediately. She laughed and clapped for me.
“Bravo, bravo,” she said, “That’s Crosses, isn’t it? By Jose Gonzalez?”
“I didn’t you listened to him.”
“I love to mix it up sometimes.” She stood up and went to the counter again, this time asking for a violin.
She sat down again and started to practice some notes and scales. She was doing the scales so smoothly, I felt like an amateur on my instrument.
“Are we doing a jam session?”
“Do you mind giving it a shot?”
“Depends, will we be playing Crosses again?”
She shook her head, “Nope, I was thinking his other song. Do you know Heartbeats?”
I did know it, but roughly. I couldn’t be sure it was going to be perfect.
“Kinda, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be good.”
“That’s fine. This isn’t supposed to be serious. Like you called it, it’s a jam session.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. Strumming the beginning of the song, I tried my best to stay in the right tempo. I messed up about three times and said sorry after every one. The fourth time I was able to stay steady and Kate was able to start playing along. We actually sounded pretty good together and we stayed on-key for most song. We were about a minute in before I mess up again. We stopped abruptly.
“Shit.”
“It’s okay, Max. You’re really good at playing.” She stood up and I followed, handing the instruments back to the man.
“I haven’t played in like a year. I’m surprised at myself.”
“You could have fooled me. Would you like to play the other instruments or look at the dogs next door?”
I grinned widely, “… Dogs.”
Kate smiled back and nodded, “Okay, let’s go.”
For the next hour, I literally stayed with the really small and fluffy puppies at the window, petting all of them and carrying some of them around the store. Sure, there were fishes and birds, and they’re cool too—I had a full conversation with a bird—but the dogs, though.
“You’ve been carrying that one for quite some time.” Kate petted the dog in my arms. She was brown and smaller than the other ones and, looking closer, she was missing an eye.
“She’s my favorite. Her name is Kate now.”
“Why is she named after me?”
Without thinking, “Because she’s cute.”
Kate snorted and shook her head, turning around, but I saw her blush.
“You have to put her down sometime. You can’t just take her.”
I sighed, “I know. Sorry Kate, time to go back to your brothers and sisters.”
The puppy actually started to whimper and cry as I tried to place her down again. I felt bad as I backed away and saw her trying to climb out of the pen.
“I’m sorry, Kate!” I waved goodbye and we left.
“Was that the last thing of the day?”
“Yup, I don’t do a lot of exciting things. I’m sorry if it seems short.”
“No, I loved today. Thanks for taking me out.”
“My pleasure.”
I spent a good fifteen minutes refusing to call Chloe to pick me up. Kate tried her best to get me to, so I too could start cramming for next week. I eventually did, but started with a text about how Kate said she wanted to come along with us to Long Beach. Then, I said she had to pick me up at her apartment.
In front of Kate’s apartment, we sat in the front because it was just about three PM. Kate had more classes than me and needed to study more, so I wasn’t so mad about the time. When Chloe came into the parking space in front of her home, I really didn’t want to go.
“Can I get one last hug?” I held my arms out.
“Of course,” Kate wrapped her arms around my neck and I hugged her back, “See you on Tuesday, okay?”
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I am Having Emotions, So Sit Down And Buckle Up.
So Uh. You know what? From now on, this is gonna be my procrastination central. I am gonna write stupid anecdotes about my life, but really, it’s not gonna be about my life. It’s gonna be about how I, a Dumbfuck™️, met a Bean and learned how to be a human being. SLowly, with enough practice.
This anecdote is alternatively titled, How I met The Same Person Three Separate Times, and/or The Dumbfuck and the Bean
Date: August 28th: So me being a DumbFuck means I knew I had to plan all my classes right? First day of College, I got that all sorted. I got to everything on time, got all my homework and notes down, started out on the Right Foot. but here’s the issue. I got complacent. For Tuesday, I looked at my calendar and map, was like yeahhh, I can get everywhere no issue, and said, Fuck it (cause I was a cool College Kid. I could SWear for Real now). I’m not gonna visit these classrooms early at all! I can find them in Ten minutes.
But there was a problem. I was not Prepared for Altgeld. See, Altgeld is a confusing building, with floors built all weird. It looks like a great big castle, all big and gray stone with bells chimin at :50 and the hour. Being all great and imposing, I went in through the front. Mistake. I had no idea where my second floor classroom was. And the clock was ticking down. Completely lost, I eventually caved and asked several different people. One of these people was a “dude” in some nerd buttonup and cargo shorts with disheveled longish hair. Like if the Bieber hair grew out and actually decided to look good, was a tad bit wilder. Impression: NERD™️ Probably quiet, had the kinda rimmed glasses that made them look like an owl. Plus they were Asian, so it looked like they might know where they were going. No. Not even a clue. Bright side: they were also in a calc discussion! Sorry, they said. I’m in calc one, they said. Disappointed, I was like meh and asked someone in the office. They found their class first, and I found mine soon after. I don’t remember if I thought they were cute. I generally don’t think that on first meetings. What I remember most though, is the quiet and easy way they teamed up with me. I really like that, actually. Being willing to go along with things is the thing I feel like I’m generally supposed to do but here, I felt like we were actually Working Together for the two minutes we were lost in Imposing and Foreign Architecture. Unfortunately, due to how brief, I forgot completely about this until a couple weeks after. When THey remembered, and told Me.
Date: ??? Around Sep 2-7 (most likely sep 3)
This doesn’t technically count, but I feel obliged to mention it. So, Joy, my friend at this point, tells me to join the Metagamers discord, so I scour everyone’s intros and see if anyone has any pictures up. Only one. A magic card (though back then I was Dumb and thought it was Pokemon) with a kid on it. They had on a white wig and a cool cape. Obviously cosplay. I was wowed. Huh! A nerd who Also Cosplays! I’ve been looking for those, cause I also wanna do that! Best of all, it said their name on it. Yiwei. What a p cool name. I scroll to their intro and see a super excited with Caps and Exclamation Points Introduction, with bunches of rambley stuff about Larp and DND (also they explained their intro statement? who does that. Nerd). Impression: NERD with side of Mysterious Skills and Swanky Confidence. (that might edge over into arrogance) But back then, I just saw the energy, enthusiasm, and ability to cosplay. Huh, I said. What a cool person. I kept that in my mind, I guess.
Date: September 8th
I’d heard about Club Campaign and their awesome and fun Game Night, So I thought I’d go over to the English Building at 7 and see what was up. It was actually fun! I met cool new people, who I didn’t know, who were fun and inclusive nerds (but because I was shy I didn’t open up too much, but felt better cause everyone was good about talking to me, and left at 10 because back then I slept at 12, like a good nerd) Anyways, They were on the other side of the table, playing werewolf with the big table group we had, but I thought their name sounded familiar, and they looked kinda cool, even if all the games I kinda wanted to kill them (in game) because they were fucking things up for us townspeople, or I was a werewolf and kinda had to. Anyways, they kept offering for the group this mostly empty mello yello bottle they were drinking, to spin and see who it would off, and every time it would either land on them or very close to them. So of course, the mob tried to off them, because mello yello had spoken (they will still never drink mello yello to this day). All I remember really is them being uproariously loud with their nerd friendos they’d just met and being like, really social. I thought they’d been in this friend group for a while was one of the Popular Cool Nerdos. (You know, the people that get ribbed the hardest in a friendly way and have all the respect anyways? that one). Impression: NERD with dash of Social Circle.
Date: September 11th.
It was a Tuesday game and I’d just met this bean. They were casually just talking to the DM, who told me I was gonna partner up with them this session, cause my character was an intern who needed an excuse to travel with the party. She likes aiding and Abetting People. Anyways, within the first few minutes, they joke about 9/11, talk about (when offered gum by me) how each time they ate gum they swallowed it, explained things that went over my head, and continued making puns about stuff. Impression: NERD–Irreverent Trainwreck Edition. I did like them, yes, but they were a bit Swanky and Rambunctious. I felt like they’d do a lotta bullshittery during the campaign and they didn’t disappoint. ((Me: Oh, y’know, just blowing gum over here. Them: who’s Gum? Me, five minutes later: *smacks forehead into both palms* Them: I can’t believe that took you so long.)) Surprisingly enough, I ended up enjoying their bullshit so much I decided to align myself more visibly, and decided to give them one of my hairclips. I didn’t expect myself to do that, honestly, and it felt a bit weird. But their strange almost over-expressiveness and charismatic excitement kinda won me over. I have no idea why I handed over my hairclip that night, or why it pleased me so much to see it immediately in their hair. Still, I thought. This might be the start of a Beautiful New Friendship. (oh boy)
Other trivial things I did was briefly think they were like 20 bc of all the white hairs they had. Then they accused me of having white hairs too, which I did. I now can’t believe I thought they weren’t a freshman. They had too much zest for life. Uhhh, anyways, I thought they were cute I guess. Because I had a weird hunch, I asked them their pronouns, at which point they wrote them down, and then.. I was like me too!! Because we used the same pronouns, she/her and they/them. That spark of connection was kinda wholly complete. See, I tend to only go for the people I have connections with. People who tend to be queer in some way, because that, I can feel on some level, you know? Things like attraction, gender identity, and stuff like that. It happened with (Codename) similarly too. But I felt that spark, like, immediately. Like actually within an hour of legit talking to this one. They were so vibrant, they kinda immediately stood out. Like a comet, or like a bright red flower against a generic green background. So I guess it isn’t hard to see why I kinda fell into Cute Person Likey Likey.
Anyways, we ate dinner together with friendos after, and after I found out they lived in my dorm, we stayed up until like 12 in the piano rooms where they played me all the songs they knew, which was fun af. I liked them a lot. They seemed like a fun person. Throughout the thing, they kinda seemed nervous, a little bit pause-y, a lil timid, which I thought was because close proximity, aLone, and cause nerves from new person. As we said goodnight, they did all that stuff again, and just sorta shouted, “Check your Discord!!” and then dashed up the stairs. I didn’t know them very well, so I was like, huh. Impression: NERD with Casual Dramatic Flair. What a cool disheveled piano man, I thought in the most gender neutral way possible.
So they wanted me to check my discord? Huh, I thought to myself. Maybe they just really wanna send me Cool Memes.
I was wrong.
I started nervously laughing, and then shaking, and then up and down pacing, and then my teeth were chattering, and then my roommate was like, what tf is going on, why are you suddenly Like THis. “I dunno! I don’t know why this is Happening,” I kinda whisper shrieked. He started laughing and was like boiiiiiii you in love I see the signs, you GAVE THEM your hairclip, if I don’t know what a sign is, that def is one. Three weeks and that man could read me like a neon sign. Everyone probably could, anyway.
So my teeth were chattering, my entire body was shivering, but I had yet to respond. They sent me another vaguely panicky sounding thing. Coherently, I replied with this:
Like I always say, yeaafhhhghvfbb.
NEXT TIME: DumbFuck And Bean Wing A Date
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Soon You’ll Come Home Chapter 20
Summary: Blaine and Kurt are married with two kids and at the point of their lives they would never imagine having another child. But then Blaine meets a young girl in the most unlikely way and after he learns about the abuse she suffered he can’t help but want to give her the family that loves and care’s for her like she needs.
Warning: mentioned child abuse, and Bullying, and self harm (nothing graphic), depression
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With Sophie home from school everything feels weirdly normal. She and Blaine go running in the morning, now that she is three hours behind him she gets up at an hour Blaine’s body can handle. Blaine decides to tell her about everything when they take a short break to stretch a little before running back home. He tells her about Oliver, about Riley, about going back to music, about possibly moving. They started to look at houses directly outside of the city, nothing further than a train ride away. It’s a lot and Blaine is not quite sure how she is going to react. She’s quiet and doesn’t say anything.
“I know it’s a lot all at once,” Blaine apologizes.
She nods and lets out a huff. “How does Papa feel about everything? The moving? The music?”
“He’s been supportive and mostly agrees with everything. He’s hesitant about moving, but he likes the idea of being able to decorate,” Blaine answers. “Of, course you would still have a room with us, you will always have a home with us.”
“uh huh,” She says nervously.
Blaine can’t help the curious look that comes across his face.
“I’ve been dating someone for a while now,” She clarifies even though it only confuses Blaine more.
“Okay?” Blaine says slowly.
“It’s getting pretty serious, and he asked me to move in,” Sophie explains.
Blaine’s in shock. The last time she dated was in high school. He was the perfect first boyfriend any parent could wish for. They were together for almost four years and broke up after graduation, deciding that college was a time to move forward in their life and date other people. She took the break up hard, which is why Blaine is shocked she is seeing someone already.
“He’s two years older than me, and we met when my dorm’s fire alarm went off the second week of the first semester,” she explains when Blaine doesn’t say anything. “We went out once as friends, but after that we started dating. We just clicked right away.”
“And you want to move in with him?” Blaine asks, worried about the idea.
“He doesn’t live far off campus, more room to live in and for less. Plus, after I live there for a while I would get in state tuition,” she tries to justify.
“Your scholarships cover most of that anyway,” Blaine says and it comes out a lot harsher than he intends it to be.
“Don’t judge until you meet him, I invited him to visit so he could meet both you and Papa this summer,” She practically begs.
“When were you going to tell us?” Blaine asks, the surprise obvious in his voice.
“After I gave you your gifts I got from when I took a day trip to see the Chinese Theater,” she explains, knowing that distracting Kurt with something historical and related to a celebrity would be the best way to break the news.
“Alright, I won’t say anything until I meet him,” Blaine promises at the look his daughter’s face. Even after all these years he still has trouble saying no to her. “I can’t make promises for your Papa, though.”
“Maybe, we don’t have to tell him,” she jokes.
“You know he’ll find out anyway, I’m not good at keeping secrets” Blaine laughs thinking about all the times he has failed to surprise Kurt.
When they get home, Sophie makes a beeline for the shower afraid Oliver will try to take it from her at the last second like he used to do.
“Kurt, I got you a bagel from the bakery on the way home. They’re still warm and fresh,” Blaine calls out setting the brown bag and opening the fridge and pulling out the cream cheese.
“Kurt?” Blaine calls again when he doesn’t hear anything and decides to go investigate.
He finds Kurt in Riley’s room just staring into the empty space. They left everything how it is, waiting for her to come home.
“Kurt,” Blaine says hesitantly, placing his hand carefully on the small of Kurt’s back.
“Oh,” Kurt blinks like he’s waking up. He sighs and moves to sit down. In his hands are a small pile of clothes. It gives Blaine a sense of dejavu from when they lost their second baby, before they adopted Oliver. Kurt took the entire thing hard, blaming himself since his was his sperm. He locked himself in the nursery for a week after the news, refusing to sleep or eat.
“She’s going to come back to us,” Blaine says surely.
Kurt nods and sniffs his tears away. “I forgot, for a second. I went to wake her up and get her dressed and – “
Blaine quickly moves to sit next to him and shush him, mostly because he isn’t sure if he can take anymore. “She is coming home. We are going to find her.” He says with more certainty.
Kurt nods in agreement.
“Now, how about bagels while I tell you about how Sophie has had a secret boyfriend since she started college,” Blaine distracts, knowing Kurt is always up for some good gossip, especially secret romances.
“Really?” Kurt says, obviously intrigued, following Blaine into the kitchen.
“Apparently, it’s getting serious and she invited him to meet us, she wants to move in with him,” Blaine says in a mock whisper.
“I was kind of hoping Dylan and her would end up together,” Kurt answers disappointed.
“He was the perfect first boyfriend,” Blaine agrees. “But I promised we wouldn’t judge until after we meet him.”
Blaine smiles as Kurt winkles his nose, but nods in agreement.
“I’ll behave myself,” he promises.
It’s only three days later when he shows up to the front door nervously smiling and holding a bottle of wine. Blaine freezes when it’s offered to him because Sophie mentioned he was older, but not old enough to drink and he isn’t sure how he feels about the idea. He’s taller than Blaine imagined, and tan. His hair and eyes are darker, which is the complete opposite of her high school boyfriend. His hair is on the shorter side, just growing out of a close shave to head. Blaine does approve that he at least dresses appropriately, nothing too casual or formal.
“I apologize for the mess,” Kurt says and he leads him into the house, “We’re in the process of moving.”
“Your home is immaculate, Mr. Hummel-Anderson, thank you for having me” Luke politely replies.
“Please, call us Blaine and Kurt,” Blaine says trying to loosen the tightness in his voice.
When they take a seat in the living room, telling Oliver to turn off the television, Luke and Sophie cuddle close on the sofa, making Blaine clear his throat awkwardly. He can tell from the way they are with each other that Sophie is probably already semi-living with this guy.
“So, Luke, Sophie hasn’t told us much about you,” Blaine starts causing her to flush with embarrassment and give him a warning look.
“I wanted to tell you, but she knew how much you were all going through and decided to wait. We were both a little nervous how you would react to the age difference,” Luke says shifting an appropriate distance from her, but being sure to hold her hand.
“And how old are you?” Kurt asks.
“Twenty-four,” Luke answers.
Blaine understands that to Sophie that five years doesn’t seem like that much of a difference, but to him it’s a lot.
“uh I think my dads’ want to know more about you?” Oliver asks when neither Kurt or Blaine say anything else.
“Right, um” Luke starts clearing his throat, more nervous than when he started.
“We’re sorry,” Kurt apologizes. “We just found out about you not that long ago and now to hear you’re older is just a shock. But, please tell us more about yourself.”
“Well, I’m a police officer. I attended two years of community college before joining the academy and I love your daughter. I’m not sure if you believe in love at first sight, but it’s the only way I could describe it. I saw her and just knew I had to know her.” Luke answers with a smile, causing Sophie to blush.
“Kurt believes in love at first sight,” Blaine teases bumping Kurt’s shoulder with his, knowing Kurt is gushing over the romance of the answer.
“Oh, hush, you believe in soulmates,” Kurt retorts with a laugh.
“I never said soulmates. I said I believe in us and I distinctly remember you having a crush on me when we first met,” Blaine says.
“Okay, yes I was hopeless in love with you, but it was you who wouldn’t stop flirting with me,” Kurt points out.
“Don’t let them fool you, I heard them fighting over which towel is the good towel just the other day,” Oliver jokes getting them to stop.
The rest of the conversation is polite, slowly becoming more comfortable. Blaine hates to admit it, but he does like this guy. He is polite and charming and seems to love Sophie. It isn’t until he reaches over to the table and picks up the Christmas photo with Riley that things take a turn.
“Who’s this?” he asks tensely.
“Um, that’s Riley.” Sophie answers carefully, attempting to pull the photo out of his hand.
“No, that’s not the picture you showed me.” Luke says seriously.
“Well, that was before she was healthier.” Sophie says through her teeth, trying to get the conversation to stop.
“Her hair? It’s shorter now?” he asks, looking around the room for another photo.
“Luke, don’t” Sophie says looking at the pained looks on her family’s faces.
“We appreciate your interest, but this is not something we are ready to talk about,” Blaine answers bravely. “We’re still looking for her and waiting for her to come home.”
“You don’t understand, please excuse my behavior.” He apologizes quickly. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but my last shift before I flew in there was a call from some neighbors about a suspicious mother and little boy that fits this description.”
Blaine feels his heart beat quicken with hope of it being her, but Kurt quickly takes his hand brings him back to earth.
“It … it might not be her, Blaine,” He says softly.
“But it could be her,” he says optimistically.
“Luke do you think you could,” Sophie begins to ask hesitantly.
“Yes, of course I will do anything I can to help you bring her home,” Luke answers to the family. “Do you think I could have this photo of her or something similar?”
“We have tons of them, just take what you need,” Blaine says pulling out a scrapbook he made and handing it over.
Normally they would invite a guest like Luke to stay in the guest room with them, but it seemed known to everyone that room was no longer available after becoming Riley’s room. He promised it was no trouble commuting from the hotel and Sophie offered to stay with him, not that it eased their minds.
“So, he seems nice,” Kurt says slowly as he carefully rubs lotion on his arms.
“He’s older,” Blaine responds short not looking up from his sheet music.
“It only seems older because he is drinking age and she is not,” Kurt points out.
Blaine only hums in response.
“He makes her happy,” Kurt says when Blaine doesn’t respond. He puts the bottle on lotion on the nightstand and cuddles close to Blaine giving him a soft kiss to the cheek.
“She didn’t tell us about him, doesn’t that worry you?” Blaine asks putting his sheet music down. “We’re accepting parents I don’t know why she had to hide this from us.”
“She didn’t hide it,” Kurt clarified. “Maybe she just wanted to keep it to herself, or not have us worry about her having sex like we both are now.”
“I should have offered the couch to him, then we could at least keep them apart,” Blaine sighs.
“Yeah because that worked so well for us,” Kurt laughs. “She’s nineteen, our time with her is over. We can’t make decisions for her anymore.”
Blaine doesn’t answer, only cuddles closer to Kurt, thoughtfully.
“Do you think Oliver has?” Blaine asks and Kurt shoots up straight.
“Why? What do you know?” Kurt asks worried.
“Nothing, that’s why I’m asking you.” Blaine answers trying to keep his laughter under control.
“He hasn’t even dated yet,” Kurt says worried. “He’s so much younger.”
“He’s your baby boy I know, but he’s going to grow up too,” Blaine reasons pulling Kurt back in to cuddle.
“We don’t even know if he likes boys or girls,” Kurt thinks aloud.
“Or Both,” Blaine adds.
“Or neither, oh please let it be neither, then he can stay our sweet little baby boy,” Kurt pleads jokingly.
Blaine feels himself drifting to sleep, he knows he needs to put his papers away and take his glasses off and turn out the lights but Kurt’s warmth and breathing is lulling him to sleep.
“She really loves him,” Kurt says softly, still in thought. “And not like the last love she had, this is something different. I can see it in the way she smiles at him.”
“yeah,” Blaine answers nervously.
“At least he isn’t ugly,” Kurt jokes. “I don’t know if I could handle having an ugly grandchild.”
“Kurt, that’s not funny, I’m not ready for grandkids,” Blaine whines.
“I’m serious, he’s like a younger, tanner, version of Cooper,” Kurt teases, “You know with the perfectly angled face and nice muscles.”
“I thought we had a rule of not talking about my brother in bed,” Blaine pouts turning away from Kurt.
“You had that rule and it’s weird,” Kurt responds moving Blaine’s papers to the side and reaching over him to turn out the light.
“Don’t be too jealous, I still have the horrifying sight of Cooper clipping his toenails in the living room burned into my brain,” Kurt pacifies, shuddering at little at the thought.
“That was only a couple weeks, try living with him for years,” Blaine lightly complains before yawning.
He is just starting to fall asleep when Kurt speaks again.
“You know I think you’re the hottest, sexiest, and most talent man on the planet, right?” Kurt asks slowly, eyes wide with worry.
“Kurt, go to sleep,” Blaine says with a smile, moving to cuddle into Kurt’s side.
Blaine is only able to sleep for a couple of hours before his new case of insomnia gets to him. He shifts quietly from the bed doing his best not to disturb Kurt, he’s caught him a few times laying with his eyes shut, pretending or trying to sleep in Riley’s bed so any sleep Kurt actually gets is good.
Blaine shuffles into the kitchen and decides to get to work on the dishes Kurt was going to leave to do in the morning. At the smell of the dish soap his mind drifts back to the days when it was just him and Kurt, Kurt washing the dishes and Blaine drying them. The days before they could even afford a dish washer. He pauses and wipes his hands when he sees his phone light up with a notification. He debates on reading it. Not all the comments are good or supportive, or even relevant, but he has to know. His heart beats faster at a repost of Riley’s photo with the words “Last seen,” in the comment. He knows he shouldn’t get his hopes up, it might not be serious, just someone who wants his attention, so he screen shots the picture with the new comment to send to an update to the police.
He knows there is no chance of sleep after this so after he finishes the dishes he works on organizing more of their books for the move. He knows it’s probably pointless, since Kurt will just go back over it and make the final call of what gets pack and what get sold, but it will keep his mind busy and that’s what he needs right now.
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36 Dates and Counting.
Just under three years ago I found myself freshly out of a long term relationship that culminated in a broken engagement. It was new territory for me. I had never imagined myself the marrying type but there I was, ring returned and entirely lost, newly saddled with the nauseating task of “getting back out there”. I wasn’t reckless or anything, I waited a few months before I felt even remotely prepared to test the waters. I quickly learned that a few months wasn’t going to cut it for me as far as emotional preparedness but more on that later. As I plunged back into a world of meet ups, hook ups, break ups, and chill sesh’s(a real human said that out loud to my face) I decided to try to learn something about these men. I wondered what kind of lengths I’d go to find some compatibility and common ground.
I have made a lot of mistakes and I have done a few things well. In any case, this is not intended as advice for anyone. I am not an authority on dating and I’ve come to believe that no one really is. No one way works for anybody and today, 36 dates and counting, I’m still at square one. I don’t know any more about the kind of man I want or need to make a long term relationship work because my feelings on that topic are still evolving. What I have become more of an expert on is myself. I’m starting to listen to myself and my instincts more as I wade through a sometimes great, always scary and occasionally truly disgusting pool of gentlemen.
I doubt my experience is unique. I hope it isn’t actually. I’d be mortified to find out that this kind of bullshit was specific to me. I’m writing this because I think it’s relatable and weird. Some of it is funny, some sad and all of it true. I had the idea early on in this adventure to write a little bit about each date as I went. Each man will be referred to only by their date number. I’m not doing this to take away any humanity, it’s just a way to hopefully avoid any hurt feelings with facebook sleuthing. Plus, I’d like to continue dating without any guy with internet access thinking his vulnerable moments would be made into public entertainment. It is 36 dates, not 36 men. That’s not any slut shaming shade, I promise. If someone hits 36 dudes in under 3 years I would be nothing but jealous and impressed. I just don’t move at that speed yet, but I’m working on it. Not every date or every guy will be discussed. Just a few I think are noteworthy. Let’s meet our dream team.
#8
The Man who Knew Too Much
My very favorite place to take a date is Le Bistro Montage. It’s under the Morrison Bridge in the industrial district and it is home to about a dozen different ways to eat macaroni and cheese. They have an extensive wine list, cool music and ridiculously flattering lighting. I have only recently noticed those last few things because when I go there I am almost always in it for the mac. If you have not tried it, stop reading this and go do that. Their mac is better than anything I could ever hope to write. This story will be here when you’re full.
Welcome back. I had arranged for #8 to meet me at seven. He and I met on Tinder. We had been trading witty quips and quotes from Arrested Development for about two weeks and it felt good to set up the date. It seemed like the natural next step for us and I have found that isn’t always how the first date feels. Eight dates in though, I was still naive to the idea that I would suffer through dates that seemed simply obligatory.
When he showed up I was stunned by how handsome he was in person. He looked great in pictures and after surgically dissecting his social media platforms I thought I had a pretty good idea of how it would feel to see him in the flesh. Turns out, I undershot it. I was nervous. Sweat immediately tickled my lower back and my perpetually rosy cheeks flushed to sleigh guiding brightness. He hugged me casually. I remember thinking it felt like a hug from someone you hadn’t spoken to in a while and didn’t really miss.
We sat and ordered drinks. I ordered my standard well vodka soda and he asked for a glass of merlot while pronouncing the name in a weird and completely over the top French accent. Not buying it the server politely said “Oh, that one is actually from Spain”. He not having the service industry background I do, didn’t realize that this was the only way for our sweet server to express that he was being a fucking idiot. Without blinking, he responded, “I didn’t ask where it was from, I’d just like you to bring me a glass of it please.”
It was over. At exactly that minute it stopped being a date entirely. It became an exercise in observation and manners. I was curious to see what someone with so little respect for this stranger who was just doing her job would go on to say. How would he act after that embarrassing display of pride? I was also terrified of being rude and leaving all together. I silently decided to finish dinner and make sure that poor girl got a tip to for not stabbing him with his salad fork.
#8 began telling me the illustrious tale of his wild life. He worked in HR for a tech company in Portland and had recently relocated from Minnesota. This is one of the most unglamorous set ups I could imagine but he explained it to me like he’d been roughing it through the wilderness relying on nothing but instinct and a well worn copy of Slaughterhouse Five. He was an amature beat poet, not a self described amature mind you, that is a label I am rightfully assigning but I’m pretty sure he thought of himself as Kerouac resurrected. He was entirely “over” Portland’s art scene though. He’d been in town a handful of months and could already tell that the pacific northwest was just pretending to be heady and forward.
“Oh it’s no better than anywhere else. I think it’s hysterical how proud the locals are of all the ‘progressive entertainment’ here.It’s honestly a joke.”
Honestly was his preface to every other sentence. If I had been playing a drinking game where I took a shot every time he said it I would have been in a blackout before the appetizer showed up.(I can not give you one good reason why I didn’t go that route, hindsight’s 20/20 am I right?)
“I’m just worried that the only place I’ll be happy is New York, or maybe Rome, even.” he sighed wistfully while staring at his Spanish wine with French ambition. I had to look down for what felt like days after he said that to prevent him from seeing the “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!” look that was blazing in my eyes. When I finally returned to his face he was still earnestly committed to what he thought was the most profound thing he’d ever said. He was so lost in the wonder of his own beautiful words that I’m pretty sure I could have taken a shit on his plate without him noticing.
I paid the check shortly after and left an obscene tip for our server with a note that said “I’m so sorry about him. He’s a stranger with whom I will never have sex”. We walked outside and found a beautiful evening in Portland. Before I could make an excuse to hurry home he took my hand and said we couldn’t possibly miss the chance to take a walk on a night like this. He was the last person I wanted to be on a romantic stroll with but the pretty night sky and his very pretty face weakened my resolve. As we started out in a blessing of silence I began to bargain with myself in my head. He was so handsome! It didn’t have to be a relationship, maybe he could just be like a nice one time deal. Maybe he was nervous at dinner and that could explain why after an hour and forty-five minutes he’d asked me just two questions, one of which was “Do you ever see yourself getting serious about your fitness goals?”(I had mentioned no such goals...at all)
All hope that we’d turned a corner was erased when his mouth started up again. I stoically listened and nodded appropriately through another half an hour of his musings on art and film. When I asked about his favorite movie he responded by saying, “Well my favorite film is The Dreamers, by Bertolucci.” Not only did he emphasize the word film like he was adjusting the way a toddler had just said it, he listed the director’s name like he’d authored a book. This is not inherently gross but I promise if you had been there you’d have wanted to push him in front of a bus as much as I did.
In what I can only imagine was a moment of weakness for him he asked what my favorite film was. Without hesitation I said “Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps.” He was confused for a second, then recognition crossed his perfectly symmetrical face and he was just below horrified. It was not my favorite movie but I watched it enough as a kid to reenact a few lines for him. I wanted for a moment to shove his smarm and smug into his own face. He did what I think was his best to act amused and started to mention his early start for the next day.
I thought about not taking the hint and forcing this guy to witness my low brow interests. I pictured his face after hearing how many string cheese wrappers I had in my bathroom wastebasket. Ultimately I decided it was in both our best interests to part ways. He thanked me for dinner and said he’d text me in the morning. I turned to leave when he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a soft and near motionless kiss. I didn’t close my eyes and I watched as he simply laid his lips on mine and basically took a micro nap. I backed away and said, “Okay, Goodbye.”
On the way home I thought I had done a bad job of showing up for myself. This guy was as arrogant and condescending as they come and I had done almost nothing in the way of putting him in his place. I began listing all the things I wished I’d told him in my head when it occurred to me that I was just really disappointed. It was hard to realize that this handsome, educated guy had basically used me as a way to hear his voice for a couple hours. He’d kissed me even though everything about my body language said I wasn’t into it just because he felt like he should be able to. I allowed myself to just be sad that a guy who I was excited about ended up being an asshole. It was the first time I found out firsthand that you can chat with someone for a long time and feel like you have chemistry and a clear picture of them but you really have no concept for how they’re going to treat you in person. Or how they’ll treat your waiter, which I think was more telling about what kind of man he was than anything else.
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